Emerging Techniques Forum

Requirements Analysis Branch Chief
DHS Science and Technology (S&T)

Mr. Richardson is the Branch Chief for Requirements Analysis within the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T). He leads a team that analyzes high-priority capability gaps across all DHS components that can be resolved through research, development, test & evaluation (RDT&E). He recently completed a detail with the DHS Chief Technology Officer Directorate creating the goals, objectives, and organizational structure for the new DHS AI Corps and Emerging Technology divisions. In 2024, Mr. Richardson was awarded the Secretary’s Award for Team Excellence for his work co-authoring the DHS Innovation, Research & Development Strategic Plan.

Prior to joining DHS S&T, Mr. Richardson was the Branch Chief for Resource Planning and Program Analysis at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). He helped transition the former National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) into a new government agency, CISA, through Interagency working groups that defined CISA’s mission and structure.

Prior to joining DHS, Mr. Richardson was a civilian Operations Research Analyst for the U.S. Army where he developed mathematical models, conducted process improvement, developed a new IT system, and managed his agency’s largest contracts. Mr. Richardson was awarded the Army’s Achievement Medal for developing improved processes that affected thousands of Soldiers with PTSD.

Prior to joining federal service, Mr. Richardson spent a decade as a contractor specializing in developing countries and conflict environments. His work included projects for the Department of Defense, Department of State, USAID, NATO, United Nations, World Bank, and RAND Corporation. He led research projects on Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Syria.

Mr. Richardson completed a Public Policy certificate from Harvard University and a Leadership certificate from American University. He earned his M.A in Security Studies from Georgetown University. He earned his B.A. from Virginia Tech where he graduated with honors.

Principal Deputy Director of Air Force Studies and Analysis

Robert Chandler Swallow, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Principal Deputy Director for Studies and Analysis, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. He is responsible for the development of Air Force-wide policy, guidance, and analyses that inform Air Force leadership decisions concerning current and future warfighting capabilities.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Swallow served as the Acting Director of Headquarters Air Force Studies, Analyses and Assessments (HAF/A9) for twenty months as well as Principal Deputy HAF A9. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the 1,100 Department of the Air Force military and civilian analysts to support planning and budgeting reviews, established the Operations Research Analyst (15A) career field, and spearheaded analytic innovation. In his first SES position, he was the Technical Director for the Joint Warfare Analysis Center, Dahlgren, Virginia, leading the JWAC advancement of targeting analysis. With a focus on providing future Combatant Commanders with more targeting options faster, he worked across the interagency to provide modeling and simulation, network analysis, wargaming, and operations-research optimized weapons pairings that leveraged emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and directed energy to conduct conventional, cyber, information, space, economic and gray zone warfare. Specific partnerships with U.S. Cyber Command, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, National Air and Space Intel Center, Air Combat Command and the Joint Technical Coordination Group for Munitions Effectiveness, led to breakthroughs in threat-representative network simulation and advanced weapons pairings.

Mr. Swallow gained a breadth of experience in policy, strategy, military operations, counterterrorism, cyber warfare, economics, infrastructure, operations research and nuclear engineering while serving in the U.S. Navy. He concluded his military service in three joint assignments: Commander of the JWAC, professor at the National Defense University teaching Economics of the National Security Strategy during the Great Recession and developing the Afghanistan-Pakistan Hands Fellowship, and in the Pentagon, serving as the Senior Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs developing policy options for the Middle East, Russia, the Caucasus, Europe, Africa and NATO. His sea tours included operations around the world, highlighted by commanding the guided missile frigate USS Nicholas that intercepted the merchant ship BBC China carrying contraband nuclear centrifuges to Libya exposing the illegal nuclear efforts of Pakistan, Iran, North Korea, and Libya; executing emergency relief efforts in Yemen after the terrorist attack on USS Cole; and driving the carrier, USS Enterprise.