Ronald “RT” Thompson
Associate Vice President & Managing Director, ASU Research Enterprise
Ronald “RT” Thompson joined ASU Enterprise Partners in 2021 as an Associate Vice President for Strategic Alignment and was quickly promoted to serve as the Managing Director for ASU Research Enterprise (ASURE). As the Senior Management Official, RT is responsible for corporate strategy and leadership for all aspects of ASURE. ASURE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit defense contractor that conducts a broad range of innovative and collaborative research and development activities as an extension of ASU’s global impact that specializes in providing meaningful solutions for the toughest National Security, global futures, sustainability, and humanity challenges.
RT grew up in Phoenix and joined the Air Force in 1991 where he served for 30 years in positions that included various executive leadership roles. Specifically, he held leadership roles in global operations, strategy, organization design, talent management, requirements and acquisitions, developmental and operational test, education and training, Pararescue, and Special Operations. His service included tours in the Pentagon, global assignments, numerous deployments in support of humanitarian and combat rescue operations, and culminated as the Command Chief at Luke Air Force Base. Upon retirement, RT served as a military executive intern and executive consultant to ASU where he was involved with several initiatives touching National Security, Department of Defense collaborations, educational program expansion, organizational dynamics, and research and grant opportunities. He holds a master’s degree in management with a concentration in leadership and a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with a concentration in personnel protection, security, and terrorism, both from Excelsior College in Albany, New York.
RT is a lifetime member of the Pararescue Association, the Air Force Association, and Air Force Sergeants Association.
Ronald “RT” Thompson
Associate Vice President & Managing Director, ASU Research Enterprise
Ronald “RT” Thompson joined ASU Enterprise Partners in 2021 as an Associate Vice President for Strategic Alignment and was quickly promoted to serve as the Managing Director for ASU Research Enterprise (ASURE). As the Senior Management Official, RT is responsible for corporate strategy and leadership for all aspects of ASURE. ASURE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit defense contractor that conducts a broad range of innovative and collaborative research and development activities as an extension of ASU’s global impact that specializes in providing meaningful solutions for the toughest National Security, global futures, sustainability, and humanity challenges.
RT grew up in Phoenix and joined the Air Force in 1991 where he served for 30 years in positions that included various executive leadership roles. Specifically, he held leadership roles in global operations, strategy, organization design, talent management, requirements and acquisitions, developmental and operational test, education and training, Pararescue, and Special Operations. His service included tours in the Pentagon, global assignments, numerous deployments in support of humanitarian and combat rescue operations, and culminated as the Command Chief at Luke Air Force Base. Upon retirement, RT served as a military executive intern and executive consultant to ASU where he was involved with several initiatives touching National Security, Department of Defense collaborations, educational program expansion, organizational dynamics, and research and grant opportunities. He holds a master’s degree in management with a concentration in leadership and a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with a concentration in personnel protection, security, and terrorism, both from Excelsior College in Albany, New York.
RT is a lifetime member of the Pararescue Association, the Air Force Association, and Air Force Sergeants Association.