Prior to joining First International Resources in October 2007, Tom served as a senior policy advisor to the Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a semi-autonomous organization within the Department of Energy (DOE).  While at NNSA, Tom was responsible for developing policy and coordinating the implementation of nonproliferation and nuclear energy efforts worldwide, including liaison with the Russian Federation and other foreign governments, the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, the National Security Council, and other U.S. government agencies.  In preparation for the fiscal year 2008 budget process, Tom prepared testimony, press releases, and related speeches for NNSA and DOE officials and provided liaison with members of the press and Congress.  Tom’s efforts in drafting and implementing a coordinated press and Congressional outreach strategy helped to ensure continued funding for several nonproliferation programs, including a program through which the U.S. and Russia will turn weapon-grade plutonium into fuel for commercial nuclear reactors.

An expert on Russian politics and energy issues, Tom Deters served as Energy Attaché and National Security Lead at the Department of Energy Office of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia from 2003 through 2006.  While in Moscow, Tom coordinated joint U.S.-Russian energy and nonproliferation programs and wrote extensively on all aspects of nuclear nonproliferation and energy cooperation between the U.S. and Russia in support of the U.S. Departments of Energy, State and Defense, and the National Security Council.  Prior to his work in Moscow, Tom wrote daily and weekly news and analysis articles on security, political, and economic issues in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) for Pinkerton’s Daily Global Intelligence Summary.

Tom is a former naval officer, serving tours in the Arabian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea onboard USS Doyle from 1996 until 1998.  After his sea duty, Tom managed the Egyptian Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program at the U.S. Navy International Programs Office from 1998 until 2000.  After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy and his work on the Egyptian FMS program, Tom worked with navies around the world as an international naval tactical systems program manager for Delex Systems, a Virginia-based software company.  From 2000 through 2003, Tom marketed, managed, and installed unique tactical training programs for navies in Denmark, Canada, Greece, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Turkey.

A fluent speaker of Russian, Tom received his Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) in Russian Language and Literature from George Washington University in 1995, and will receive his Master’s Degree in International Policy and Practice from George Washington University in August of 2008.  Tom is a 2007 recipient of the National Nuclear Security Administration Silver Medal for outstanding service in the national security of the United States, as well as the U.S. Navy Achievement Medal and other U.S. Navy commendations.