July 6, 2026
Communications and Media
National Security Institute
Arlington, VA — On June 29, 2026, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the appointment of 15 members to the Defense Policy Board, including NSI Fellow Thomas P. Feddo. Established in 1985, the Defense Policy Board serves as an advisory body that delivers independent strategic guidance to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary for Policy. Its work spans strategic planning, the policy ramifications of U.S. force structure and modernization efforts, regional defense strategies, and other national security matters of particular importance to the Department.
Mr. Feddo currently serves as the founder of The Rubicon Advisors, LLC, a national security consulting firm, and as a senior advisor to the global law firm Squire Patton Boggs. Previously, he served as the first Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Investment Security, leading and overseeing all aspects of the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Mr. Feddo also practiced law as a partner in the international trade group of Alston & Bird LLP, advising Fortune 500 companies and global financial institutions on economic sanctions and anti-money laundering compliance. Prior to Alston & Bird, Mr. Feddo was the Assistant Director for Enforcement at the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), where he oversaw the Treasury Department’s economic sanctions enforcement efforts. Mr. Feddo also served as Special Assistant to the General Counsel of the U.S. Navy. He began his career as a submariner in the U.S. Navy.
“It is an incredible honor and privilege to be named among these distinguished patriots, and I am very excited to contribute to the Board’s mission of advising the Secretary of War, the Deputy Secretary, and the Under Secretary for Policy as they continue their vital work to keep America safe and strong,” said Mr. Feddo.
“Tom is an incredible pick to serve as a member of this critical Board chaired by Ambassador Lighthizer and Senator Coleman,” said Jamil N. Jaffer, Founder & Executive Director of the National Security Institute (NSI) at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School. “Through collaboration with 14 other leaders in national security and defense policy, Tom will apply his extensive expertise to help advance our nation’s posture and push for the policy changes needed to bolster strong American security globally,” said Jaffer.
About the National Security Institute:
The National Security Institute at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School serves as a platform for research, teaching, scholarship, and policy development. NSI incorporates a realistic assessment of the threats facing the United States and its allies, as well as an appreciation of the legal and practical challenges facing our intelligence, law enforcement, national security, technology, innovation, and cybersecurity communities.
About the NSI Cyber & Tech Center:
The NSI Cyber and Technology Center (CTC) advances American technology leadership and engages policymakers on issues at the intersection of technology and national security. Its mission is to promote American technology leadership through expert dialogue, policymaker engagement, and cutting-edge research. NSI CTC is part of the National Security Institute (NSI), which serves as a platform for research, teaching, scholarship, and policy development.
About the Antonin Scalia Law School:
The Antonin Scalia Law School was founded in 1972 as the International School of Law in Washington, DC. In 1979 it merged with George Mason Law School and was named after the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016. The school is located in Arlington, VA, and is ranked #32 (tied) nationally by US News and #3 among all law schools in the D.C. metro area. The school offers JD, LLM, and JM degrees and is home to five nationally acclaimed centers, including the Law & Economics Center, and is the home to additional key national security and technology organizations, including NSI, the NSI Cyber & Tech Center, and the first-in-the-nation Cyber, Intelligence, and National Security (CINS) LLM program.
About George Mason University:
George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., George Mason enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. George Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship.