After serving as interim executive director since Oct. 2023, General (Ret) Robin “Baba” Rand has been named the executive director of the Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute (OADII) at the University of Oklahoma.
“General Rand is an exceptional leader and a remarkable human being. He has been a valued advisor to me and to OADII from the very beginning. We are thrilled to have him accept this position and for his commitment to take OU’s aerospace, defense, and global security research to new heights,” said OU Vice President for Research and Partnerships Tomás Díaz de la Rubia.
General Rand has served as policy advisor to the OU Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships since early 2021 and was integral to establishing OU’s Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute. Following the passing of OADII’s inaugural director, Lt Gen (Ret) Gene Kirkland, in Oct. 2023, Rand stepped in as the institute’s interim executive director to maintain OADII’s efforts to support convergent research that is working to solve the nation’s most pressing aerospace and defense challenges.
General Rand served for over 40 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, which included six overseas assignments, multiple flying assignments, and duty as an air liaison officer with the U.S. Army, studies at the Naval War College, several Pentagon staff assignments and eight different command tours. His last Air Force active-duty position was as commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, and as commander, Air Force's Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command, where he was responsible for the land and air legs of the Nation’s nuclear triad. He is a command pilot with over 5,100 flying hours, mainly in the F-16, including more than 480 combat hours. For his service and bravery in combat, Gen. Rand has been awarded the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters and the Bronze Star Medal.
After retiring from the Air Force in Sept. 2018, he has served as chief executive officer, Gary Sinise Foundation, a veterans and first responders non-profit organization; chairman of the board of trustees, Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings; board of directors member for Top Aces Corporation and the Air and Spaces Forces Association; trustee member for the United States Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation; board of advisors member for LEONID; strategic advisor in government relations and public policy for Baker Donelson; managing director for Victory Strategies; adjunct contract professor and senior mentor for the United States Air Force; and senior consultant for several defense-related organizations.
General (Ret) Rand has a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation science from the United States Air Force Academy, a Master of Science degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Master of Arts degree in national security policy from the Naval War College.
