The Mission of MDAA is to help make the world safer by encouraging the development of missile defense which would protect against all types of missiles during all times. This includes ground, sea, air and space based missile defense systems.
President and Founder
Riki Ellison, Founder and President of MDAA, received his degree from the University of Southern California, including a Certificate in Defense and Strategic Studies. Mr. Ellison's breadth of experience spans two decades as an advocate, consultant, and expert on missile defense.
Board of Directors
MDAA's Board of Directors is an independent group of industry leaders from throughout the country that represent a range of non-defense commercial sectors. The Board is unique in that each member has committed substantial personal funds to the cause.
Advisory Board
The MDAA Advisory Board is made up of a combination of prominent community leaders throughout our country and retired United States Military flag officers from the field of Missile Defense. Their purpose is to support our mission of educating the American public and our leaders on Missile Defense, so that we can continue to develop and deploy missile defenses to make our world a safer place and protect our way of life.
Who We Are
Formed after the tragic events of September 11th, the mission of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) is to help make the world safer by encouraging the development of a missile defense system that would protect against ballistic missiles of all ranges. The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance strives to coordinate efforts with the American people and leaders in promoting a missile defense system that will keep our world safe.
MDAA does not advocate on behalf of any specific system, technology, architecture or entity (including any political party or political candidate). MDAA works to increase the number, volume, and appeal of the voices speaking on behalf of missile defense. MDAA recruits, organizes and mobilizes missile defense proponents to deliver positive public support for the testing, development, deployment and expansion of missile defense.
MDAA Leadership
President and Founder
Riki Ellison, Founder and President of MDAA, received his degree from the University of Southern California, including a Certificate in Defense and Strategic Studies. Mr. Ellison's breadth of experience spans two decades as an advocate, consultant, and expert on missile defense.
Board of Directors
MDAA's Board of Directors is an independent group of industry leaders from throughout the country that represent a range of non-defense commercial sectors.
Mr. Biestman brings nearly 25 years of information technology business experience to Real Clear Technologies, with a specialized focus on enterprise software.
Mr. Simpson is the head of Simpson Development Company, Inc. and V.P. Simpson Properties, Ltd., which are both located in Virginia
Mr. Ellison is also involved with philanthropic activities for the youth in the Washington, D.C. area.
Hatim A. Tyabji
Executive Chairman, Bytemobile, Inc., Board of Directors, Best Buy Inc., and eFunds Corporation.
Mr. Miller is currently employed by Miller Bros., LLC, which owns and manages office properties in Northern Arizona and is currently developing a project in Sedona, Arizona.
Advisory Committee
The MDAA Advisory Board is made up of a combination of prominent community leaders throughout our country and retired United States Military flag officers from the field of Missile Defense.
Mr. Ralph Booth
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Booth American Company, 1995 -. Harvard University, Cum Laude.
Dr. Robert Joseph
Ambassador, (retired) Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security 2005 - February 2007. Previously, he was a Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Proliferation Strategy at the National Security Council.
Mr. Eddie DeBartolo
CEO/President, DeBartolo Holdings. Head of DeBartolo Holdings, a nationwide commercial real estate development company. Owner of the NFL football team the San Francisco 49ers, 1977 – 1997.
Mr. Larry Dodgen
Lt. General/(retired) Commander U.S. Army Space and Strategic Command, December 2003 – 2006. Commanded and brought forward the first operationally authorized ground based midcourse defense in 2006.
Mr. Tyrone Fahner
Attorney and Managing Partner, MayerBrownRow, 1983 -Former Attorney General of Illinois, 1980 – 1983. Admitted into U.S. Supreme Court 2002.
Mr. Ron Kadish
Lt. General/(retired) Director of Missile Defense Agency, June 1999 – July 2004. As the director of the Missile Defense Agency, he served as the acquisition executive for all ballistic missile defense systems and programs.
Mr. Lester Lyles
General/(retired) Director of Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, 1996 - 1999. Former Vice Chief of Staff for the U.S. Air Force and the Former Commander of the Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson AFB.
Ms. Kate Paige
Rear Admiral/(retired) Director of Aegis Missile Defense Program, 1996 - 1998. Director of Mission Assurance for MDA, 2005. Ms. Paige also serves as a special advisor to U.S. Strategic Command’s Strategic Advisory Group.
Mr. Jack Schneider
Managing Director, Allen & Company. A nationwide corporation that specializes in the investment, underwriter and broker.