Executive Director
General (Ret) Robin Rand is the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Innovation Institute (OADII). In this role, he is the lead executive for the University of Oklahoma’s institute that concentrates on the four national defense strategic research areas of international security policy, sustainment and modernization, advanced technologies, and radar innovations.
General (Ret) Rand served for over 40 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, including six overseas assignments, multiple flying assignments and duty as an air liaison officer with the U.S. Army, studies at the Naval War College, Pentagon staff assignments as a policy planner on the Joint staff, principle director for Middle East policy for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Director Legislative Liaison for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, and eight different command tours. His last Air Force position was Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, and Commander, Air Forces 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, predominately in the F-16, including more than 480 combat hours.
After retiring from the Air Force in Sep 2018, he served as Chief Executive Officer for the Gary Sinise Foundation, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings, Board of Directors member for Top Aces Corporation and the Air and Space Forces Association, trustee member for the United States Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation, LEONID board of advisors member, strategic advisor in government relations and public policy for Baker Donelson Law Firm, adjunct contract professor and senior mentor for 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; Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Master of Arts Degree in National Security Policy from the Naval War College.