LT GEN Desmond Kuek joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in Dec 1981, and was awarded the prestigious SAF (Overseas) Scholarship in 1982 after receiving his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hon) and Master of Arts (Engineering Science) from Oxford University, and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University.

In 1985, he attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course in Fort Benning, Georgia, USA, where he was awarded the Distinguished Allied Leadership Graduate. He went on to top both the Company Tactics Course and Battalion Tactics Course conducted in SAFTI, Singapore. In 1991, he attended the Army Command and Staff Course at Camberley Staff College in the UK, after completing a series of junior command, staff and instructional appointments. During these years, he also held concurrently the positions of Military Private Secretary to the Minister for Defence, and Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the President.

An armoured reconnaissance officer by vocation, LT GEN Kuek has held significant command and staff appointments, including Commanding Officer, 41st Singapore Armoured Regiment; Head, Defence Studies Department in the MINDEF Policy Office; Commander, 4th Singapore Armoured Brigade; Assistant Chief of General Staff (Operations); Commander, 3rd Singapore Division; Director, Joint Intelligence Directorate; and Chief of Staff (General Staff). LT GEN Kuek held the appointment of Chief of Army from 2003 to 2007. During this time, he steered the Army towards organisational excellence, enhanced its combat effectiveness and operational efficiency, and led the transformation efforts towards a third generation Army. He also introduced a culture and experience movement to strengthen commitment and elicit peak performance in the Army.

LT GEN Kuek was appointed the Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces on 23 March 2007, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General on 1 July 2007.

LT GEN Kuek has held a variety of concurrent directorship appointments in public and private organisations: namely, CET Technologies Pte Ltd 1994-97; Singapore Precision Industries (Pte) Ltd 1999-2002; ST Electronics Ltd 1999-2003; Housing & Development Board 2000-03; Cleantech Services Pte Ltd 2001-03; International Enterprise Singapore 2005; and ST Kinetics Ltd 2003-07. He currently sits on the Boards of Defence Science and Technology Agency, Singapore Technologies Engineering, and Jurong Town Corporation.

For his significant contributions in the SAF, LT GEN Kuek was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Gold) (Military) in 2002 and the Long Service Medal in 2007. He was also conferred the Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand in 2005, the Bintang Kartika Eka Paksi Utama (Indonesia) in 2006 and the Darjah Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang Yang Amat Gemilang Darjah Pertama (Brunei) in 2007.

Mr. Grimes was nominated by President Bush on June 17, 2005 and sworn in as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration (ASD NII) / Department of Defense Chief Information Officer (CIO) on November 14, 2005. Mr. Grimes has extensive technical and policy experience in telecommunications, information systems and the command and control fields. His public service includes five years on the White House National Security Council Staff as Director for National Security Telecommunications Policy, Director of Defense Command, Control and Communications Programs, and Senior Director White House Situation Support Staff from 1984 to 1990. Mr. Grimes served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Defense-wide Command, Control and Communications and was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counterintelligence and Security Countermeasures from 1990 to 1994. As a member of the DoD senior executive service (SES), he held senior technical and staff positions with the National Communications System, Defense Communications Agency (predecessor to DISA), and the U.S. Army Communications Command following his military service in the U.S. Air Force.

Mr. Grimes joined Raytheon Company in 1994 where he served as Vice President of Intelligence and Information Systems, Washington Operations, prior to retiring in November 2005. Mr. Grimes has served on four Defense Science Board (DSB) Task Forces. He was a member of the Industry Executive Subcommittee of the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC).

A native of Fredrick, Maryland, Mr. Grimes is a graduate of the University of Arizona and also holds a Master of Science Degree from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania; the Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, Virginia; and Harvard University’s National and International Security Policy Program. He is the recipient of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ (AIAA) Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I) Award among other public, military and Federal civil service awards that include two Presidential Rank awards.

Born on 15th July 1947, Dr. Pillai graduated in Electrical Engineering from Madras University in 1969, underwent Programme for Management Development at Harvard Business School, USA (1991) and obtained PhD from University of Poona (1996).

Dr. Pillai joined Space Science & Technology Centre, Thiruvananthapuram in 1969 and worked in Systems Engineering of Launch Vehicles. He assisted Dr. Vikram Sarabhai in the evolution of 10-year space profile for the country. He was a core team member of SLV3 (the first Satellite Launch Vehicle of India) under the leadership of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. In SLV3, the contribution of Dr. Pillai was in the development of four stage rocket motors and rocket systems. SLV-3 first stage later became the booster of Agni missile. After the successful completion of SLV3, he was the member of the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) study team in the evolution of PSLV mission and a senior scientist in Aerospace Dynamics & Design Group. Later, he became Technical Advisor to Prof Satish Dhawan, Chairman ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) at its HQrs, Bangalore for Launch Vehicle Programmes. His significant contribution was in the evolution of PSLV configuration and direction for GSLV (Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) configurations and technology requirements.

Dr. Pillai joined Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) in 1986 in the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) at Hyderabad under the leadership of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He played a key role, introducing innovative management systems and made significant contributions for the development of Agni, Prithvi, Nag, Trishul & Akash Missiles, as Programme Director of IGMDP. He was also Associate Director, DRDL. His most important contribution to missile programme was the development of critical technologies, using a network of academic institutions, R&D laboratories and industries through consortium approach and technology empowerment. He also led to the development of many societal products as spin-offs from missile technologies.

He was appointed as Chief Controller (Research & Development) at DRDO HQrs at New Delhi in 1996, responsible for missile technologies & projects, ranges naval systems and certain international collaborations. Dr. Pillai became Distinguished Scientist from September 1999.

Dr. Pillai is also Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the BrahMos Aerospace responsible for design, development, production and marketing of the most advanced BRAHMOS-Supersonic Cruise Missile. BrahMos is the world leader in the cruise missile family. Dr. Pillai’s leadership to the BrahMos has yielded excellent results. After successful trials, BrahMos system has been inducted by the Indian Navy and Army.

Dr. Pillai has published many papers in international and national journals and conferences, and also chaired many international conference sessions. The book titled Envisioning an Empowered Nation is authored by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and co-authored by Dr. Pillai. He has published a book titled Technology Leadership – A Revolution in the Making defining the future visionary leaders. Recently, he also published one more book titled Ocean Warfare – The Technology Waves. He is a recipient of various awards including DRDO Scientist of the year (1988), Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Research Award (1991), Dr. Davidson Frame Award for Project Leadership from University of Technology & Management, USA in 2001 and Padmashri from Government of India in 2002.

In Jan 2003, Dr. Pillai received an award for outstanding contribution and achievement in the international sphere of dedicated service, co-operation, development and peace by OISCA (Organization for Industrial, Spiritual & Cultural Advancement) International, Japan. Dr. Pillai and his team received the “Performance Excellence Award of DRDO” in 2005 for BrahMos and Raja Rammohan Puraskar 2006 for his outstanding contributions in Aerospace.

He has received honorary degrees of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed University), Avinashilingam Institute of Higher Education for Women, Andhra University and Pravara Rural University.

He was awarded with the Doctorate HONORIS CAUSA degree from the Scientific Council of St. Petersburg State Marine Technical University, Russia for outstanding achievements in the development of special purpose techniques for naval applications. Recently, the Moscow University of “Security, Defence and Law Enforcement” honoured Dr. Pillai with the Order of the Peter the Great and the Academician of the University with a Professor of the University.

In August 2007, he was awarded the ‘Lokmanya Tilak Award’ for the services of missile projects and international collaborations.

He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, Astronautical Society of India, and Honorary Fellow of the Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India (FMAS). He is a member of many Professional Societies – IEEE, Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI), Instrument Society of India and International Association of Business Leaders (USA). He has visited and interacted with many scientific and technological organizations in many countries.

RADM Shoham was born in 1963 in Israel. He was recruited in 1980 to the IDF's three-year program (“Talpiyot”) that includes academic studies, military training and R&D Officers Course. Between 1984-1985, RADM Shoham served as a Project and R&D Officer in Navy and between 1985-1987, he served as an instructor in the “Talpiyot” program. Between the years 1987-1988, he served as an R&D Officer in the IMOD DDR&D (Israel Ministry of Defense).

In 1989, RADM Shoham graduated from the Naval Officers Training Course and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In 1990, he graduated from the Tactical Officers Course and was appointed as a tactical officer onboard an FMB. During 1992-1993, he served as a commander of a Fast Missile Boat.

In 1993, RADM Shoham was appointed as the Head of the Radar Section in the Radar and Optronic Systems Branch. In 1994, he was promoted to the rank of Commander and was appointed as the Head of Radar and Optronic Systems Branch in the Electronics Department. During the years 1995-1997, he served as the Head of EW Systems Branch in the Electronics Department of Israeli Navy's Materiel Command.

In 1997, RADM Shoham was promoted to the rank of Captain and was appointed as the Head of EW & Electronic Systems Department in the DDR&D, IMOD. Between the years 2000-02, he held the position of the Head of Budget and Finance Department in the Israel Navy.

In 2002, he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and was appointed as the Head of the Planning Division in the IDF General Staff Planning Branch. In 2005, RADM Shoham was appointed as Head of the C4IT Division in the IDF General Staff C4I Branch.

RADM Shoham holds a B.Sc in Physics and Mathematics and a M.Sc in Applied Physics and Electro-Optics from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel.

In March 2004, Dr. Killion was designated as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology/Chief Scientist. He is responsible for the entirety of the Army’s Research and Technology program, spanning 21 Laboratories and Research, Development and Engineering Centers, with approximately 8,600 scientists and engineers and a six year budget of $11.3 billion. He is responsible for developing a Science and Technology (S&T) strategy responsive to Army needs from the near-term (within the next five years) stretching out through the far-term (twenty years into the future). The Basic Research, Applied Research and Advanced Technology Development programs and budgets that Dr. Killion builds for this strategy must be defended within the Army, to the DoD and to Congress. He is also the principal scientific advisor to both the Secretary of the Army and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)).

Prior to his designation, Dr. Killion served as the Director for Technology under the Deputy ASA for Research and Technology (DAS(R&T)). In this position, he was responsible for oversight and coordination for the majority of the Army’s Applied Research (6.2) program and all of its Advanced Development (6.3) program. He also co-chaired the Warfighter Technical Council and managed the Science and Technology Objective (STO) and Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) approval process for the DAS(R&T).

Prior to this assignment, Dr. Killion served as the Director for Personnel Technologies in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, where he was responsible for policy, guidance, oversight and advocacy of the Army’s MANpower and PeRsonnel INTegration (MANPRINT) and Soldier Oriented Research and Development in Personnel and Training (SORD-PT) programs. Dr. Killion also served as the principal scientific advisor to the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1.

Previously, Dr. Killion served as the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Liaison to the Office of the DAS(R&T), where he assisted in shaping, advocating and defending Army Science and Technology (S&T) program investments and priorities to senior leaders in the Army and in DoD and to Congress. During this time, he also served as the Acting Deputy Director for Research for a year, with responsibility for oversight of the Army’s Basic Research (6.1) program and substantial portions of the Applied Research (6.2) program. He also served as the manager for the Army’s Dual Use S&T program.

Other key assignments in Dr. Killion’s career include Technical Advisor in the Advanced Systems and Concepts Office at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, ARL Liaison to the MANPRINT Directorate, Executive Assistant to the Director of ARL, Technology Team Leader for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Joint Project, and Principal Scientist for Electronic Combat Training at the Air Force Human Resources Laboratory. He has authored numerous technical papers, open literature publications, and presentations on a diverse array of topics, including electronic combat training, computer-based training, unmanned aerial vehicle technology, dual use technology, Army basic research, Army S&T strategy, and MANPRINT.

Dr. Killion was born in Wichita, Kansas and received dual B.A.’s in Psychology and English from Saint Mary’s College in Winona, MN, in 1974. He received his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, in 1978. Dr. Killion also graduated with highest distinction from the Naval War College in May 1997.

Dr. Roger Lough joined the then Weapons Research Establishment as a Technical Assistant and studied for a Science degree at the University of Adelaide. He gained a B.Sc (1st Class Hons) in 1971 and a Ph.D in Physical Chemistry in 1974. He won the William Culross Award for the best thesis in Physical Sciences at University of Adelaide in 1974. Dr. Lough returned to WRE as a Research Scientist in 1974 undertaking research in rocket propulsion for tactical weapons. In 1976, he was awarded a Harkness Fellowship and worked in the USA on a variety of solid rocket and weapon activities. From 1978 to 1983, Dr. Lough was a Section Leader with responsibility for advanced weapon and propulsion system concepts.

In late 1983, Dr. Lough was posted to the Australian Embassy in Washington as Attache, Defence Research and Development. His duties included liaison in the US and Canada, and covered technology transfer issues and joint projects. In early 1987, Dr. Lough became Superintendent (later Chief) of Guided Weapons Division in the Weapons Systems Research Laboratory at Salisbury South Australia, responsible for maintaining a technology base, development of new concepts and provision of technical advice and assistance to the Services on the acquisition, operations and maintenance of advanced guided missiles.

Dr. Lough was appointed to the position of Chief, Aircraft Systems Division, Aeronautical Research Laboratory in 1992. As a result of restructuring the Aircraft Systems and Flight Mechanics activities were consolidated in 1993 into Air Operations Division. In 1996, Dr. Lough transferred to the position of Chief, Land, Space & Optoelectronics Division at DSTO Salisbury. His responsibilities included the overall coordination of DSTO support to the land force elements of the ADF, operational analysis of the land force and space based surveillance systems of relevance to Australia and R&D in advanced electro optic systems and technologies. On 1 July 1997, the space and optoelectronic responsibilities were transferred to other Divisions in DSTO and the land functions significantly expanded to form Land Operations Division, with Dr. Lough as the inaugural Chief.

Dr. Lough became the First Assistant Secretary Science Policy in January 2000, responsible for the formulation of policy for the use of Science and Technology in the Australian Defence Organisation, the oversight of DSTO's interactions with external agencies and the procedures for management of the research program. In January 2002, he was appointed as Director, Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory and became the Director Platforms Sciences Laboratory at its inauguration on 1 July 2002.

In September 2003, Dr. Lough was appointed Chief Defence Scientist and head of the Defence Science & Technology Organisation.

Professor Lui Pao Chuen was appointed to the newly created post of Chief Defence Scientist, Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in 1986 and has held this appointment since.

He graduated from the University of Singapore in 1965 with a degree in Science, majoring in Physics.  In 1971, he was awarded a postgraduate fellowship by MINDEF.  He elected to go to the US Naval Postgraduate School and graduated with a Master degree in Operations Research and Systems Analysis in 1973.

In 1975, he was appointed Special Projects Director and was responsible for the planning, system engineering and implementation of major weapon systems for the SAF.  In 1984, he was appointed acting Director, Joint Operations and Plans Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, in additional to his appointment as Director, Special Projects Organisation.  In 1986, he was made Senior Director to set up the Defence Material Organisation with the amalgamation of the Material Management Organisation and the Special Projects Organisation.  He was also appointed to the newly created post of Chief Defence Scientist.

Prof Lui was on the board of directors of various Government-linked-companies and Government agencies.  Currently, he is holding several appointments including the Director of Singapore Technologies Electronics Ltd since 2004, Chairman of Singapore Technologies Dynamics Pte Ltd since 2000, Chairman of Temasek Laboratories @ NUS since 2001, Chairman of Jurong International Holdings Pte Ltd since 2001, Chairman of Temasek Defence Systems Institute in NUS since 2001, Chairman of Temasek Laboratories @ NTU since 2003 and Member of the Academic Council of the International on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) since 2007.  He was also a board member of several agencies and institutes including the Tropical Marine Science Institute in NUS since 1996, Defence Science and Technology Agency since 2000, NUS High School Board of Governors since 2006, Executive Committee for Environmental and Water Technologies since 2006 and Public Utilities Board since 2007 and the Economic Development Board with effect from 1 Feb 2008.

Prof Lui has been an Adjunct Professor of the Faculty of Engineering in NUS since 1990 and recently the College of Engineering in NTU since 2007.  He was also a Chief Scientific Advisor in Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2004 and an advisor to the National Research Foundation since it started in 2006.  He was recently also appointed Senior Advisor on Systems and Technology to the President in NTU and a Special Advisor to the Office of the President in NUS in 2007.

Prof Lui was recipient of numerous awards due to his long service in the public service sector. He received the SAF Good Service Medal in 1975, The Public Administration Silver Medal (Silver) in 1979, The Public Administration Gold Medal in 1992 and the Long Service Award in 1997 for his 30 years service in Singapore.  Prof Lui was appointed The Commander of the Royal Order of the Polar Star in Sweden in 1994.  He was also appointed Senior Fellow in 2000 and was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2002 by the US Naval Postgraduate School.  He was also inducted into the Naval Postgraduate School Hall of Fame.  Prof Lui received a Teaching Excellence Award by Faculty of Engineering in NUS and the National Science & Technology Medal in 2002.  He also received the Distinguished Science Alumni Award and Outstanding Service Award in 2005 and 2007 respectively from NUS.