Lt. General (Ret.) David J. Buck is the President of BRPH Mission Solutions at BRPH, a technically focused architecture, engineering, and construction firm supporting mission-critical clients in aerospace, defense, national security, and advanced manufacturing.

Lt. General (Ret.) David J. Buck is a retired U.S. Air Force officer whose distinguished military career spanned more than three decades in space, nuclear, and cyberspace operations. He earned his commission as a distinguished graduate of Officer Training School in 1986 and went on to command at the squadron, group, and wing levels throughout his service. His operational experience included strategic missile operations, space launch and range operations, satellite command and control, and advanced space mission areas.

Buck culminated his Air Force service as Commander of the 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) and Commander of the Joint Functional Component Command for Space under U.S. Strategic Command at Vandenberg Air Force Base. In that capacity he led more than 19,500 personnel responsible for providing strategic missile warning, nuclear command and control, space situational awareness, position/navigation/timing, and other critical space effects in support of national security objectives. He retired from the Air Force in 2018.

In his current role at BRPH, Buck applies his operational leadership and strategic expertise to help organizations navigate complex mission requirements, develop innovative capabilities, and accelerate growth across defense, aerospace, national security, and manufacturing sectors.

His awards include multiple Defense and Air Force distinguished service decorations, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star Medal, reflecting both his leadership and impact over decades of service.

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Damon brings 30+ years of leadership across defense and commercial space sectors—including senior roles with the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, and the Space Development Agency.

In his role as President of the SFA Huntsville – Rocket City Chapter, Damon has been instrumental in building regional engagement, fostering collaboration between military and industry leaders, and expanding awareness of SFA’s mission throughout the southeastern U.S.

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Col (ret) Keith Balts, PhD, is the Director of the Leadership Signature Program and Kramer Family Leadership Faculty Fellow at Clemson University.

Educational Background
Ph.D. Engineering and Science Education
Clemson University 2024

Master of National Security and Strategic Studies
Naval War College 2010

Master of Arts in Military Operational Arts and Science
Air Command and Staff College 2005

B.S. Mathematics
University of Wisconsin-Madison 1992

Keith Balts, Colonel (Retired), USAF, earned his Ph.D. in Engineering and Science Education at Clemson University in 2024. He is a professor of practice and currently serves as the Director of the Leadership Signature Program and Kramer Family Leadership Faculty Fellow in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business at Clemson University. Prior to his current position, he served as the commander of Clemson’s Air Force ROTC detachment, dual-hatted as the department chair for aerospace studies. He served for twenty-eight years as an Air Force space operations officer after earning a B.S. degree in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He has deployed four times to southwest Asia and has served as a squadron commander, vice wing commander, wing commander, inspector general, and the Director of Space Forces for the Middle East region. Keith has also earned a Master of Engineering degree in Space Operations from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and two additional master’s degrees related to national security and leadership from Air University and the Naval War College. He is also graduate of the United States Air Force Weapons School.

His volunteer service includes Chair responsibilities for two University military-connected alumni clubs and two local Scouting-related committees. He also served as the Vice Chair for the three-county Scout District Committee in the upstate.

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