Speaker Bio
David Simpson has influenced U.S. National Defense and Homeland Security policy for over thirty years. He is a Professor at Virginia Tech, with teaching and research roles for Pamplin College of Business. He leads a consulting practice, specializing in national defense, public safety, telecommunications, and other emerging technologies.
He previously served as Chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau with oversight for commercial communications supporting public safety, emergency management, cybersecurity, resiliency and disaster preparedness.
Rear Admiral Simpson served in the U.S. Navy for over thirty years. He was the Director of Naval Networks, Vice Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), and Director of Communications and Information Services in Iraq and for the Seventh Fleet. His background includes roles for Space, Combat Systems, and Information Technology stationed in multiple countries around the world.
He was a senior delegate for several ITU conferences.
Rear Admiral Simpson is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and earned a master's degree in space systems technology from the Naval Postgraduate School.