IAN J. BRZEZINSKI
As a Senior Advisor to Avascent International, Ian Brzezinski brings to bear two decades of national security experience, having served in senior positions in the Department of Defense, the US Congress and defense industry. He is a Resident Fellow at the Atlantic Council and leads the Brzezinski Group, a consulting firm that provides strategic insight and advice to commercial and government clients.
Mr. Brzezinski previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO Policy (2001–05). His office formulated, coordinated and executed bilateral and regional engagement strategies and defense guidance with the Joint Staff, Unified Combatant Commands and Department of Defense elements. Key highlights of his tenure include the expansion of NATO membership in 2004, the consolidation and reconfiguration of the Alliance’s command structure, the standing up of the NATO Response Force and the coordination of European military contributions to US and NATO-led operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans.
Mr. Brzezinski worked for seven years on Capitol Hill, first as a Legislative Assistant for National Security Affairs to the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Bill Roth (1995–2000), and then as a Senior Professional Staff Member on the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (2000–1). Before that, he served as
a volunteer in Ukraine (1993-94) where he advised the Ukrainian National Security Council, Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry and Parliament; as a member of the Policy Planning Staff in the Department of Defense (1991–93); as a Consultant to the Center for Naval Analysis (1991–92); and as a Support Analyst at the National Security Council (1986–7).
For his public service, Mr. Brzezinski was awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service; the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gedimas; the Latvian Ministry of Defense Award; the Romanian Medal for National Service, Order of Commander; and, the Order of Merit, Republic of Poland, Officer Class.
Mr. Brzezinski also worked for five years as a Principal at Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. providing policy and technical support to U.S. combatant commands and foreign clients.