Christopher Zember

Background

About Christopher Zember

Christopher Zember is an experienced corporate executive, government executive, and thought leader. He envisioned and guided the establishment of several innovative organizations and programs that are thriving today, including the DOD's National Security Innovation Network and Hacking for Defense. Known by the moniker "Z," he is a sought after advisor to those seeking to inject innovation into a stale status quo. Z currently leads an exploratory portfolio for the Pentagon’s Industrial Base Policy office, focused on building domestic industry capability and capacity. He also serves as a senior fellow with the US Army Research Lab, focused on transitioning emerging technologies into production and building regional ecosystems for emerging technologies. He previously served as an executive and business leader at Alion Science and Technology (acquired by Huntington Ingalls Industries), an advanced science and engineering company with 80 years of experience applying cutting edge science and technology to solve complex problems. Z also recently served on the International Security Council of the World Economic Forum. His prior positions include work in Defense research and engineering, national security policy, Defense planning, and intelligence analysis, with posts both inside and outside government, in the U.S. and abroad. He lives in Dayton, Ohio with his wife Pamela; with their five children, three dogs, and three cats, they are always happy to host friends and acquaintances, celebrating the beauty of life and enjoying the unique value of every individual being.