DARPA-Style R&D,
For the Problems That Matter Most
My work lives where psychology, emerging technology, and public policy meet — translating federal research into programs that reach classrooms, clinics, and living rooms.
Today, I advise startups, philanthropies, federal agencies, and global initiatives on AI, XR, conversational agents, and game-based learning. Three decades of running DARPA and ARPA-style R&D portfolios sits behind each engagement — the same methodology I now help philanthropies adapt for their own innovation funds.
Father of two autistic sons · Navy veteran · from rural Appalachia — designing for people who usually get left out of the design process.
Experience & Services
Federal innovation experience, now in one practice
Experience & Impact
From DARPA to deployment
I've built and led technology programs in psychological health and education across federal agencies, philanthropies, and the private sector — specializing in the messy, fascinating work of getting academia, government, philanthropy, and startups to collaborate on the same problem.
Autism advocacy runs through the work personally and professionally. As a parent of two adult sons on the spectrum, I focus on technologies and policies that improve independence, education, and lifelong outcomes for neurodivergent individuals.
- Navy Aerospace Experimental Psychologist (retired Captain) — 22 years across aviation simulation, VR training and therapy, human factors, medical training technologies, and hearing protection. Duty stations from Pensacola to the Pentagon.
- DARPA Program Officer — $60M+ portfolio in the Information Innovation Office covering virtual humans for mental health, graphic novel art therapy for PTSD, and personalized educational games.
- Office of Naval Research — launched the first DoD-funded VR therapy program for PTSD, now in 70+ Veterans Affairs clinics.
- Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health & TBI — Executive Director of Science & Technology; helped shape the investment strategy for a $900M congressional appropriation for service members, veterans, and families.
- Serious games — sound designer for America's Army (13M+ registered users); current advisor to MindTrust on the Sesame Workshop / Roblox game Magical Beastie Quest.
- Senior Executive Presidential Appointee, U.S. Department of Education — founded the Department's first Office of STEM; coordinated 60+ federal programs and 200+ public-private partnerships; authored the "STEM 2026" framework.
- Chief Science Officer, American Psychological Association — led the Science Directorate serving 118,000 members.
- Currently — Senior Innovation Advisor at Sidekick Platform (AI wellness); Senior Advisor at EdSafe AI Alliance (AI policy for education); Medical and Science Advisory Committee at Autism Speaks.
What I Do
Strategic advisory services
Strategic Advisory
Long-term R&D strategy, organizational design, and cross-sector innovation — for education, behavioral health, and neurodiversity programs.
- Clarify goals, theory of change, and success metrics
- Design a milestone-driven roadmap (portfolio, governance, partnerships)
- Deliver decision memos and a 6–12 month execution plan
Speaking & Workshops
Keynotes and hands-on sessions on AI, autism, mental health, innovation methods, leadership, and AI policy.
- Keynotes (30–60 min) for conferences, boards, and executive teams
- Workshops (90 min–1 day): Heilmeier-style framing, rapid prototyping, ethical AI deployment
- Takeaways: shared vocabulary, prioritized next steps, and reusable templates
Project Consulting
Product and program consulting across AI agents, XR, games, evaluation, and policy — grounded in federal experience writing AI guidance for education.
- Assess concepts and vendors (feasibility, risks, accessibility, governance)
- Plan pilots and evaluations (metrics, study design, IRB-ready methods)
- Build practical guardrails (ethics, safety, procurement-friendly requirements)
Want the full story?
From rural Appalachia to DARPA innovation labs — three decades of work across VR therapy, AI in education, and autism advocacy.
Read My StoryFeatured Speaking & Media
Talks, panels & interviews
Featured talks and interviews
TechEquity AI Summit – AI Conversational Agents
Panel exploring how conversational AI is transforming service delivery across healthcare, education, government, and nonprofit sectors.
Watch Panel
AI Optimist Podcast with Skip Rizzo – AI, Autism, & EdTech
Exploring AI, autism and mental health, VR therapy, and how innovation scales through public service and partnerships.
Watch InterviewUnited Nations – AutismTech 2025
Policy and innovation strategies for inclusive tech in global autism and mental health and disability ecosystems.
Watch Panel
Games for Change: Strategic Partnerships for Social Good in Gaming
Moderating a panel on games for diabetes support and child motor therapy—how small teams spark big change.
Watch Panel
CAPT Russ and Murray Retirement Video
When you retire from the U.S. Navy after 22 years – including time at DARPA – you don't expect Sesame Street to make you the star of your own farewell sketch.
Watch Video