Center for National Security and Economic Strategy

The University of North Texas launched the Center for National Security and Economic Strategy in 2025 to help address increasingly complex challenges at the intersection of national security, economic competitiveness, and global supply chain resilience. The Center brings together experts across sectors to conduct forward-looking research, inform policy, and foster innovation that strengthens national defense and economic leadership.

CNSES includes three distinct parts – an undergraduate certificate program featuring interdisciplinary curriculum, events convening global leaders across relevant industries, and The Eagle, an online professional journal supporting research and thought leadership.

A Presidential Advisory Council, chaired by former Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, provides strategic oversight and guidance. Its leaders bring decades of experience in defense, government, industry, and public service.

David Hamilton

Executive Director
National Security & Economic Strategy

David Hamilton is a National Security expert, economist, entrepreneur, operational excellence leader, community leader and management consultant with experience in Strategy, M&A, Reward Theory, Change Management and Organizational Development. He is the original proponent of integrating Lean and Six Sigma creating LSS. David advises Congressional leaders on government efficiency and effectiveness.

The America's Future Series, a non-partisan think-tank and speaker series he created in 2009, was founded with support from T. Boone Pickens, Ross Perot, Sr. Randall Stephenson and Herb Kelleher. It has hosted and honored over 1500 prominent industry, government, military, investment community, and academic leaders including multiple Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs, Sir Richard Branson, Jamie Dimon, Marillyn Hewson, Jeff Bezos and GEN Petraeus. To date, it has raised over $7,000,000 in donations and proceeds for worthy military causes.

David received his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and studied both Business and Geology at Trinity University

The President’s Advisory Council is charged with sharing insights and expertise as the university builds its program and solidifies its expertise in these critical areas. Council members’ insights will be instrumental in helping UNT achieve the desired level of success in creating a program that sets UNT apart from other national security programs.

The program will be designed to feature three distinct parts – a curriculum for senior level students, lectures and seminars for executive education, and an annual one-day, invitation-only summit featuring distinguished expert panelists.

Council members include:

Honorable Gordon England
Former Sec Nav, Deputy Secretary of Defense,
Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, and President of Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company

Darcy Anderson
Vice Chairman of Hillwood

Admiral Michael Mullen

USN, Ret.

General David H. Petraeus
USA, Ret.

G. Brint Ryan
CEO of Ryan LLC

The Honorable Sara Martinez Tucker
Former Undersecretary of Education

General Tim Ray, USAF (Ret.)
Business Executives for National Security
President & Chief Executive Officer

Adm. Patrick Walsh, Ph.D., USN (Ret.)
Former Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet
President, Cristo Rey Dallas

The initiative is grounded in five strategic focus areas:

Defense capabilities
High-impact research and innovation
Trade and economic growth
Advanced technology development
Sound fiscal and governance policy

Through these pillars, the initiative supports the development of actionable solutions to pressing national and global challenges.

As one of the fastest-growing Tier One research universities in the nation, UNT is committed to translating knowledge into impact. The Center for National Security and Economic Strategy is central to this mission — aligning academic strength with national priorities and advancing the university’s role as a convener of ideas, innovation, and leadership.