Former Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret)

Bruce Lemkin is an internationally respected expert and transformational leader in the fields of aerospace, defense, government relations, and energy.

As Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force (International Affairs) from 2003-2010, he led the development of Air Force partnerships around the world, building interoperable aerospace capabilities. Previously, he was the chief negotiator for The Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization, the international consortium carrying out the terms of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, the 1994 Agreed Framework with North Korea.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy (Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering), he was a career officer in the U.S. Navy, serving in six nuclear submarines, including a total of five years in command of the nuclear attack submarine USS HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN 709) and the Trident ballistic missile submarine USS MICHIGAN (SSBN 727). During his naval career, he was assigned as the Nuclear Officer Program Manager, and led the Navy’s nuclear affairs and international negotiations and strategy and policy organizations.

He also served as a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council of the United States, under the Navy’s Federal Executive Fellowship program.

As the Chief of the Asia-Pacific Division on the Joint Staff, he led negotiations with North Korea and China, including the first military-to-military agreement between the U.S. and the PRC.

With his credentials as a U.S. Navy proven financial management subspecialist, he was the vice president at a major U.S. financial services firm and, subsequently, served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management.

He is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the U.S. Naval Institute, and the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, as well as a member of the Air Force Association. He is a Fellow and member of the Board of the American College of National Security Leaders (ACNSL) and chairs ACNSL’s Alliances and Partnerships Committee.

Bruce Lemkin is the President of Lemkin International, LLC, a provider of consulting and advisory services focusing on aerospace, defense, government relations, and energy. He also serves on/has served on the boards of several companies and organizations.

A recognized expert on a wide range of defense and foreign policy matters, his commentaries have been published on subjects that include Defense priorities and budget, China, North Korea, Russia-Ukraine, NATO, and Foreign Military Sales.

Medals and Honors include: