Mr. Riki Ellison is the Founder and Chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance; a non-profit organization launched in 2002 with a singular purpose and mission to drive for the deployment, development, and evolution of missile defense. Mr. Ellison has been involved with missile defense since 1980, being introduced to it by then Governor Ronald Reagan’s Senior Defense Advisor, Dr. William R. Van Cleave. Since its founding, the organization has grown to over 20,000 members across the world and has emerged as the top lay expert voice on missile defense in the world. Mr. Ellison has been in attendance of over 277 missile defense tests, visited 693 U.S. and allied missile defense bases and platforms, and has advocated for missile defense in all 50 states and 28 countries.
Amongst the achievements of Mr. Ellison is the creation and building of two historic missile defense and veteran public memorials. One memorial is located at Vandenberg AFB in California, honoring President Ronald Reagan, and the other is located at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, dedicated with the late Senator Daniel Inouye. Mr. Ellison was awarded the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara in December 2011 and the German Air Force Air Defense Missile Badge in October 2018. Mr. Ellison also established the annual “Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony.” These awards are given to the best United States missile defense soldier, sailor, airman, and national guardsmen from each of the military services involved with missile defense. There have been 70 DOY events hosted in seven countries that have recognized 872 DOY Awardees from 18 different nations since 2011 as the Missile Defender of the Year in their respective branch and region.
On June 15, 2021, Mr. Ellison and MDAA, in partnership with the University of Southern California’s Price School of Public Policy and Viterbi School of Engineering, created the USC SHIELD Executive Program. The 8-month-long program began on September 24, 2021, and is designed to ignite a Critical Thinking cauldron and cadre of missile defense leaders across the spectrum on the intersection of public policy and engineering in making the nation and the world a safer place. There are now two completed SHIELD programs with 55 graduates between the two cohorts, with the most recent class having presented their capstone projects and received their certificates in late April 2023.
On April 12th, 2022, Mr. Ellison and the MDAA board of directors wrote its first capstone effort to reform U.S. missile defense roles and responsibilities for the rapidly evolving era of great power competition. The report titled “U.S. Missile Defense: An Overview of Past, Current, and Future Roles and Responsibilities” outlines how and why the roles and responsibilities of the Services, Combatant Commands, and the Missile Defense Agency must change, and change soon.
In 2006, Mr. Ellison founded the Youth Impact Program for disadvantaged and at-risk youth in our nation’s inner cities. There have been 44 Youth Impact Programs in 15 of our nation’s major cities and major universities. The Youth Impact Program has been recognized twice by the United States Congress in Senate and House Congressional Resolutions for its overall achievements, innovation, and impact. In 2022, the Youth Impact Program implemented its first program for girls. Since the beginning, YIP has impacted 3,693 at-risk youth, 793 NCAA athletes, 164 public school teachers, 169 U.S. Marines, 126 U.S. Army Soldiers, and 38 U.S. Air Force Airmen. Students who attended our 2022 programs on average increased their Stem scores by 40%, language art scores by 27%, and mathematics by 22%.
Mr. Ellison was also involved in supporting wounded warriors of the United States military, and those with traumatic brain injury. In 2011, Mr. Ellison brought the National Football League and the United States Army together on TBI that resulted in a partnership announced in 2012 by the Commissioner of the NFL and the Chief of the United States Army.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Ellison played professional football for 10 years as a starting middle linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, winning three Super Bowl championships. He was the first New Zealander to play in the NFL and the first New Zealander to win a Super Bowl. In 2017, Mr. Ellison was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. Mr. Ellison played college football at the University of Southern California, winning a National Championship and two Rose Bowls following a State High School Football Championship in Arizona. Mr. Ellison earned a Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations with a graduate emphasis on Defense and Strategic Studies from the University of Southern California in 1983. Mr. Ellison attended the National Security Seminar at the Army War College in 2009 and 2020 and the National Security Seminar at the Air War College in 2011. Mr. Ellison also attended the University of Notre Dame, where he attended a Business Management and Entrepreneurial program in 2013.
Service and athletics were ingrained in Mr. Ellison’s life. His grandfather, Ned Ellison of New Zealand, was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1938 for his achievements in medicine. Ned’s brother (Mr. Ellison’s grand uncle), Thomas Ellison, was the first captain of the New Zealand Representative Rugby Team in 1893 and also played on the New Zealand Native Football Team from 1898-99.

 Air Cdre Andy Martin is currently the RAF’s Deputy Director for Air Capability and Programmes, and the Air Capability lead for Integrated Air and Missile Defence.

Martin is a Qualified Air Defence Weapons and Tactics Instructor (QWI) and an Electronic Warfare Instructor. His early career included operational tours as an Air Defence pilot, an Air Defence Operational Conversion Unit Instructor, and as a Staff Instructor on the Air Defence QWI Course. These were followed by tours as the Deputy Commander of the Tornado F3 Air Defence Operational Evaluation Unit, and as Officer Commanding Number 8 Squadron, operating the RAF’s E-3D Sentry as part of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force.

Martin has completed operational deployments as the Chief of Combat Operations in the US Central Command Combined Air Operation Centre, and as Commander of the UK’s 904 Expeditionary Air Wing at Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan.

Martin’s initial staff tours were at the J5 Plans Division and the UK Permanent Joint Headquarters and the MOD’s Operation Directorate. These were followed by roles as Deputy ISTAR Force Commander, and as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Combat Air Capability, with the latter role covering Air Defence and Attack, ISTAR, Synthetic Training, Airborne Command and Control, and Air Battlespace Management functional areas. Martin also served as the Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.

Martin completed his Advanced Staff training at the Canadian Forces’ College, Toronto, gaining a Masters in Defence Studies, and is a Distinguished Graduate of the US National War College in Washington DC, at which he gained an MSc in National Security Strategy. Martin was awarded the OBE for his achievements in Command of Number 8 Squadron, and received NATO Meritorious Service Medals for his work during each of his 2 tours within the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force.

 Since commissioning in 2003, Col Stuart Hay’s service has centred around both planning and executing the integration of the Air and Land Components, at brigade and divisional levels. He has a BSC (Hons) in Business and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. His advanced staff training was as a member of the British Army’s Advanced Development Programme.
Operationally, he has deployed to Iraq twice; as a Multiple Commander on OP TELIC, conducting Security Sector Reform in Basra in 2005 and as ADC to the 3* DCG Multi-National Force-Iraq in Baghdad in 2009. He deployed as a Fire Support Team Commander in Afghanistan in 2007, on Op HERRICK 6, supporting both the Grenadier Guards and Royal Anglian Regiment Battle Groups. In 2022, he was Director Plans for the Special Operations Joint Task Force-Levant on Op SHADER.
His service on the Staff has included delivering joint operational medical capability for the Surgeon General, largely to Afghanistan at the height of the conflict. He was also SO2 J5 in the 1st Artillery Brigade, and a Chief of the Joint Air Ground Integration Cell (JAGIC), with HQ 3rd (UK) Division.
He commanded 137 (Java) Battery and 132 Battery (The Bengal Rocket Troop), a focus of which was broadening the contingent deployment opportunities for a nascent capability. As Second-in-Command of 26th Regiment Royal Artillery, he controlled both the rebasing of the last British Army artillery regiment in Germany, and the reformation of the divisional deep fires regiment in Larkhill.
In May 2022 he took command of 16th Regiment Royal Artillery (The London Invicta Gunners) during the first operational fielding of Sky Sabre to both the Falkland Islands and eastern Europe, and the return to readiness of the Land Environment Air Picture Provision capability.
In May 2024, he promoted to Colonel, and took command of 7th Air Defence Group; the UK’s Ground Based Air Defence Formation.
He has a personal and academic interest in the relationships and interactions between employee mindset and organisational culture. He spends his free time with Nikki (wife), Noah (13) and Isla (10) doing anything outdoors and active. Holidays are usually spent on anything that floats, messing about on rivers and beaches in Cornwall.

 Brig. Gen. Dr. Eng. Michal MARCINIAK is a graduate of the Faculty of Armament and Aviation of the Military University of Technology, majoring in mechatronics, specializing in aircraft and helicopter accessories.

In 2000, he began his professional service in the 36th Special Transport Aviation Regiment as a key engineer, and in the following years he performed duties as a key commander, service chief and section chief. In the years 2008-2010, he served in the Department of Supply of the Armed Forces as a senior specialist of the Foreign Service Branch, where he served until the formation of the Armament Inspectorate. In the Armament Inspectorate, he held the positions of head of the Armament Programs Department and deputy head of the Aviation Technology Headquarters.

In the years 2017-2021, he served as the Plenipotentiary of the Minister of National Defense for the acquisition and implementation of the WISLA system into the Polish Armed Forces.

On January 1, 2022, by decision of the Minister of National Defense, he was appointed Deputy Head of the Armament Agency and at the same time Plenipotentiary of the Minister of National Defense for the Construction of the Integrated Anti-Aircraft and Anti-Missile Defense System.

By decision of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, he was appointed to the rank of brigadier general. He received the act of appointment on August 14, 2023 from the President of the Republic of Poland in the courtyard in front of the Presidential Palace.

During his military service, he systematically improved his professional qualifications during many specialized courses and training, including: postgraduate studies at the National Defense University in the field of Aviation Management and a course at the Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management in the United States. Moreover, in 2019 he obtained a doctoral degree in the field of engineering and technical sciences, in the discipline of mechanical engineering, in the field of aviation technology operation

For very good results in the implementation of official duties, he was awarded the Gold Medal "For Merits to National Defense" and the Silver Medal "Armed Forces in the Service of the Homeland."

  John Cunningham is a Senior Civil Servant and Senior Responsible Owner for multiple Defence Programmes. In these roles he is responsible for ensuring UK maintains the industrial skill-sets to deliver operational advantage, delivering the benefits of a UK sovereign portfolio, establishing world-leading novel programmes, and across Defence ensuring military capability is protected. He is a graduate of the Government’s Major Projects Leadership Academy.

His early career post attaining a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry at Leeds University was as a fast-jet pilot and instructor. Tours included air defence missions over Bosnia, Quick Reaction Alert in the UK and the Falkland Islands, and a Tornado F3 Instructor Pilot. His final flying tour was in command of No. 3 Flying Training School, responsible for Europe’s largest flying training organisation encompassing Air Cadet gliding, University Air Squadrons, Elementary Flying Training and Multi-engine flying training, some 2300 aircrew and students.

Non-flying tours included time at MOD’s Joint Force Headquarters as the head of the Plans Division - which included op deployments to Uganda and Ethiopia - and commander Camp Bastion Airfield, 903 Expeditionary Air Wing in Afghanistan. As the Airfield Operating Authority, he was responsible for operating the UK military’s most complex airfield (equivalent to Gatwick Airport).

Cunningham’s final RAF appointment was as the Typhoon Programme Director where he successfully delivered Project CENTURION upgrading the aircraft enabling the Tornado GR4 to retire from operational service in early-19.

 Mr. Riki Ellison is the Founder and Chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance; a non-profit organization launched in 2002 with a singular purpose and mission to drive for the deployment, development, and evolution of missile defense. Mr. Ellison has been involved with missile defense since 1980, being introduced to it by then Governor Ronald Reagan’s Senior Defense Advisor, Dr. William R. Van Cleave. Since its founding, the organization has grown to over 20,000 members across the world and has emerged as the top lay expert voice on missile defense in the world. Mr. Ellison has been in attendance of over 277 missile defense tests, visited 693 U.S. and allied missile defense bases and platforms, and has advocated for missile defense in all 50 states and 28 countries.
Amongst the achievements of Mr. Ellison is the creation and building of two historic missile defense and veteran public memorials. One memorial is located at Vandenberg AFB in California, honoring President Ronald Reagan, and the other is located at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, dedicated with the late Senator Daniel Inouye. Mr. Ellison was awarded the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara in December 2011 and the German Air Force Air Defense Missile Badge in October 2018. Mr. Ellison also established the annual “Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony.” These awards are given to the best United States missile defense soldier, sailor, airman, and national guardsmen from each of the military services involved with missile defense. There have been 70 DOY events hosted in seven countries that have recognized 872 DOY Awardees from 18 different nations since 2011 as the Missile Defender of the Year in their respective branch and region.
On June 15, 2021, Mr. Ellison and MDAA, in partnership with the University of Southern California’s Price School of Public Policy and Viterbi School of Engineering, created the USC SHIELD Executive Program. The 8-month-long program began on September 24, 2021, and is designed to ignite a Critical Thinking cauldron and cadre of missile defense leaders across the spectrum on the intersection of public policy and engineering in making the nation and the world a safer place. There are now two completed SHIELD programs with 55 graduates between the two cohorts, with the most recent class having presented their capstone projects and received their certificates in late April 2023.
On April 12th, 2022, Mr. Ellison and the MDAA board of directors wrote its first capstone effort to reform U.S. missile defense roles and responsibilities for the rapidly evolving era of great power competition. The report titled “U.S. Missile Defense: An Overview of Past, Current, and Future Roles and Responsibilities” outlines how and why the roles and responsibilities of the Services, Combatant Commands, and the Missile Defense Agency must change, and change soon.
In 2006, Mr. Ellison founded the Youth Impact Program for disadvantaged and at-risk youth in our nation’s inner cities. There have been 44 Youth Impact Programs in 15 of our nation’s major cities and major universities. The Youth Impact Program has been recognized twice by the United States Congress in Senate and House Congressional Resolutions for its overall achievements, innovation, and impact. In 2022, the Youth Impact Program implemented its first program for girls. Since the beginning, YIP has impacted 3,693 at-risk youth, 793 NCAA athletes, 164 public school teachers, 169 U.S. Marines, 126 U.S. Army Soldiers, and 38 U.S. Air Force Airmen. Students who attended our 2022 programs on average increased their Stem scores by 40%, language art scores by 27%, and mathematics by 22%.
Mr. Ellison was also involved in supporting wounded warriors of the United States military, and those with traumatic brain injury. In 2011, Mr. Ellison brought the National Football League and the United States Army together on TBI that resulted in a partnership announced in 2012 by the Commissioner of the NFL and the Chief of the United States Army.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Ellison played professional football for 10 years as a starting middle linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, winning three Super Bowl championships. He was the first New Zealander to play in the NFL and the first New Zealander to win a Super Bowl. In 2017, Mr. Ellison was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. Mr. Ellison played college football at the University of Southern California, winning a National Championship and two Rose Bowls following a State High School Football Championship in Arizona. Mr. Ellison earned a Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations with a graduate emphasis on Defense and Strategic Studies from the University of Southern California in 1983. Mr. Ellison attended the National Security Seminar at the Army War College in 2009 and 2020 and the National Security Seminar at the Air War College in 2011. Mr. Ellison also attended the University of Notre Dame, where he attended a Business Management and Entrepreneurial program in 2013.
Service and athletics were ingrained in Mr. Ellison’s life. His grandfather, Ned Ellison of New Zealand, was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1938 for his achievements in medicine. Ned’s brother (Mr. Ellison’s grand uncle), Thomas Ellison, was the first captain of the New Zealand Representative Rugby Team in 1893 and also played on the New Zealand Native Football Team from 1898-99.