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ORI Distinguished Speaker Series on National Security: Lt. Gen. Scott Kinsvater

ORI Distinguished Speaker Series on National Security: Lt. Gen. Scott Kinsvater

October 22, 2026
9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
MSU Union Lake Huron Room Directions to event location

The Evolving Landscape: Research, Innovation, and National Security

Drawing on decades of military and NATO leadership, retired Lt. Gen. Scott Kindsvater will explore the evolving relationship among research, innovation, economic competitiveness, and national security. He will discuss emerging security innovation ecosystems, opportunities for research universities and their partners in advancing critical capabilities, and the growing importance of dual-use technologies. He will also share insights on the key factors that will shape the ability of nations and institutions to compete, innovate, and thrive in the decades ahead. The talk will be followed by a fireside chat. Attendees will be invited to submit questions for discussion in the registration form and during the event. The event is part of the Office of Research and Innovation's Distinguished Speaker Series on National Security and National Security Initiative, which is helping translate discovery into solutions that strengthen security, resilience, and quality of life for communities across the nation.

Retired General Scott Kinsvader

Scott A. Kindsvater, Lieutenant General (Retired), United States Air Force

About the Speaker

Scott Kindsvater is the president of Kindsvater and Associates, LLC where he serves as a strategic advisor, Corporate Advisory Board Member on several diverse corporations, a think tank fellow and motivational speaker.  

A senior global operations and intelligence leader, F-15E fighter pilot with 10 combat deployments and former General Officer in the US Air Force for 32 years with the last 25 years in executive leadership positions and senior consulting.  Vast experience in broad international arena specifically Central and Southwest Asia, Middle East, North Africa and Europe (NATO). 

Lieutenant General Kindsvater commanded a USAF Fighter Squadron, the USAF Top Gun School (USAF Weapons School), two USAF Wings and a Numbered USAF Task Force. He served on multiple strategic military staffs, US Congressional staffs and interagency teams.  He directed operations and intelligence in Iraq and Syria against ISIS, led operations and intelligence for the entire NATO Alliance and was Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee in Brussels, Belgium and Advisor to the Secretary General. He is a graduate of the USAF Academy and the US Army War College.  He continued his studies at University of Virginia Darden School of Business, George Washington University, the NATO Defense College and the Naval Post Graduate School.  He is a Distinguished Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis.

Scott Kindsvater and his wife, Lisa, grew up in Dodge City, Kansas and reside in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and they have two daughters.