Mr. William R. “Ronnie” Faircloth, formally a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES), was the Director, Operations, Readiness and Exercises (J3/7), for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the USSTRATCOM Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (SCC-WMD). DTRA/SCC-WMD safeguards America and its allies from WMD (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high explosives) by providing capabilities to reduce, eliminate, and counter the threat, along with mitigating its effects. Mr. Faircloth oversaw the organization’s worldwide efforts supporting Combatant Commanders, U.S. allies, and partner countries with highly specialized CWMD expertise and training, and executing a number of U.S. treaties, including New START and Open Skies, to reduce and eliminate the threat posed by WMD.

Mr. Faircloth is a retired U.S. Army colonel who served for 30 years in a variety of command and staff positions. He served as the Army Force Integration staff officer responsible for the research, development and fielding of new nuclear weapons systems while assigned to the Department of the Army, deputy chief of staff for Operations and Plans staff. He also served as special advisor to the Army Chief of Staff. While serving with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he was involved with all facets of the ratification of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), the negotiation of the START II Treaty and other new strategic nuclear arms control initiatives. Mr. Faircloth further served as chief of the Initiatives Division, U.S. Nuclear Command and Control System (NCCS) support staff, reporting to the Secretary of Defense who is the executive agent to the president for the NCCS. This staff leads the DoD and eight other federal departments and agencies to improve the full range of nuclear command and control activities.

Mr. Faircloth earned a BA from The Citadel, Charleston, S.C., and he is a graduate of the National War College, Air Command and Staff College, Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced courses, Airborne School, and NATO’s Nuclear and Chemical Target Analyst Course. His military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and various other personal and unit decorations.