James Stark, Ph.D.

Rear Admiral James Stark, Ph.D. is currently a senior advisor with CNA as well as an independent consultant with The Spectrum Group of Alexandria, Virginia. Previously, he was based in London as Marketing Vice President for Europe with Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems International. In that capacity, he was responsible for identifying and pursuing new military and commercial business opportunities throughout the European region, coordinating with government and private customers, evaluating potential partners and teammates, and supporting operations of the corporation’s European subsidiaries. Prior to joining private industry, Stark completed a 33-year career in the U.S. Navy as President of the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, providing graduate level professional military education for over six hundred U.S. and international resident students annually in addition to a large non-resident program. A surface warfare officer, Stark commanded the NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic, directing its operations in support of the United Nations embargo of Serbia and Bosnia. In that role, he commanded forces from throughout NATO and the European Union in addition to U.S. Navy units. Stark also served as Commander of the Pacific Fleet Training Command, in charge of technical and operational training throughout the Pacific Fleet. Additionally, he has an extensive background in political-military policy and planning, having served in this area on both the National Security Council and the Navy Staff. He commanded USS Leahy (CG 16) and USS Julius A. Furer (FFG 6). Stark holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy. He attended the University of Vienna as a Fulbright Scholar and holds two Masters Degrees and a Doctoral Degree in Political Science from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University.