Doug Brooks

Doug Brooks is recognized as a paramount thought leader in the stability operations space.  He founded and developed the International Stability Operations Association (ISOA), the world’s leading private sector association focused on advancing the global role of the industry in supporting international efforts in conflict, post conflict, humanitarian rescue and disaster relief environments.  Mr. Brooks led ISOA during a decade of unprecedented activity and grew the association to a $1m budget, unifying more than 50 diverse companies and organizations from numerous industries and sectors.  Under his leadership, ISOA was instrumental in shaping the industry and hosted numerous conferences and events on topics such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Human Trafficking, security for extractive companies, and many other vital issues. During his decade of leadership, Mr. Brooks worked with multiple stakeholders from academia, think tanks, industry, government and NGOs to develop and negotiate international codes, norms, standards and guidelines for private sector operations in stability operations.  Now President Emeritus, Mr. Brooks maintains a close relationship with ISOA as he goes on to pursue new endeavors. 
Mr. Brooks has testified before the U.S. Congress, South African Parliament and at many UN functions.  He has appeared on numerous television and radio programs, including al Jazeera, the BBC, CBS News, NBC News, Fox News, CNN International, National Public Radio, the Diane Rehm show, Voice of America, SABC in South Africa and the Lehrer News Hour.  He has lectured at a number of universities and colleges, including Georgetown University, the South African Defense College, the Inter-American Defense College at Ft. McNair, George C. Marshall Center in Garmisch, Germany, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He has authored numerous articles, book chapters and op-eds that have appeared in leading media including the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Johannesburg Star.
A native of Indiana, Mr. Brooks earned a BA in History from Indiana University and an MA in History from Baylor University, with additional doctoral studies at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh.  He has previously worked as a teacher in Kambuzuma Township in Harare, Zimbabwe, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the Institute of International Education (IIE).  Before founding IPOA/ISOA, he was an academic fellow at the South African Institute for International Affairs in 1999-2000 in Johannesburg, South Africa.