TEAM

Elizabeth (Libby) Turpen, PhD, a native of Albuquerque, NM, serves as President. Dr. Turpen is a recognized expert in the nonproliferation policy and threat reduction community. From 2009 to 2012 she worked at Booz Allen Hamilton where she provided policy and technical expertise to the nonproliferation programs at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and Department of Homeland Security’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). From 2001 to 2009, Libby was a Senior Associate at the Henry L. Stimson Center in Washington DC, where she co-directed the Cooperative Nonproliferation Program (now “Managing Across Boundaries”) and directed the Security for New Century program. In 2008-2009, Dr. Turpen spearheaded the Stimson Task Force and was primary author of the report "Leveraging Science for Security: A Strategy for the Nuclear Weapons Laboratories in the 21st Century." Prior to joining Stimson, Dr. Turpen served in the Office of Senator Pete V. Domenici (R-NM) as a legislative assistant responsible for defense appropriations, nuclear weapons and nonproliferation policy. She currently serves on an advisory board for Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Global and Regional Solutions Directorate as well as its Nonproliferation and International Security Department. Dr. Turpen has taught courses on Science and Public Policy at Georgetown University and New Proliferation Challenges at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. She has published several books, reports and articles on proliferation, stockpile stewardship and science, technology and security issues. She is fluent in German, having studied international politics and economics at Cologne University as a graduate student, and holds a PhD from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

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Tami Stukey, Executive Vice President, brings over 20 years of experience in government and commercial contracting to Octant. She has managed multiple highly successful programs for customers such as the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the Missile Defense Agency, Office of Secretary of Defense, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, Unified Combatant Commands, commercial entities, and others. Ms. Stukey’s experience supporting these clients showcases her broad range of capabilities, including policy, planning, strategy, operational expertise, training, exercises, conferences, studies and analysis, programming, and organizational development. She is able to tailor her toolset to customer needs, scaling from niche subject matter experts tackling today’s toughest security challenges to managing the business operations of a 350 employee organization. Prior to joining Octant Associates, Tami served as Vice President at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) where she held progressively more senior positions managing a portfolio of programs focusing on national security. Ms. Stukey also served as an Associate at Defense Forecasting International (DFI); an Associate Director of Research at the American Rehabilitation Association; and an adjunct professor. She attended Columbia University focusing on Political Science; received her M.A. from Drew University in International Relations and her B.A. in Public Administration from the University of Puget Sound. She has taken and taught many leadership and program management courses and attended Harvard University’s Senior Executives in National & International Security seminar.

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Eric Casper, Vice President for Operations, joined the company in 2015 and has played a key role in the growth and increasing maturity of Octant’s business operations. Eric leads our efforts related to security, information technology, contracting and invoicing, and many other key activities necessary for a successful small business. Mr. Casper relies on his more than 15 years of experience with the Department of Defense to help his clients achieve success. He has served as a government employee with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency in project and program management positions, but has also worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During his time in the government he was responsible for designing and installing disease surveillance systems, managing a worldwide database on terrorism, and also played a key role in the dismantlement of several offensive biological weapons facilities. He also has a variety of other work experience including commercial contracts, running a sole proprietor small business, and working overseas on environmental technology projects. Mr. Casper is currently focused on performance measurement and data visualization problems for his government clients. He enjoys the rapid development of knowledge and technology in this field and is looking for new opportunities with commercial and non-profit partners. Mr. Casper studied Chemistry and Marine Biology at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and received his Masters of Science in Chemistry with research in protein signals responsible for bacterial locomotion.