▶︎ Scott Tait is Executive Director of the National Security Innovation Catalyst located at UC San Diego.  The Catalyst pursues three related lines of effort: improving the transition of innovative commercial technology to national security users; helping to transition research and innovation via commercialization; and providing practical, effective policy recommendations to improve U.S. national security competitiveness.  It is a broad, collaborative effort that compliments and supports existing national security innovation initiatives by leveraging San Diego’s unique security, technology, business and university environment.

In addition to his leadership of Catalyst, Scott is COO and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Startup Science (www.startupscience.io).  Startup Science provides a comprehensive platform that supports entrepreneurs from ideation to exit, and also selectively pairs them with vetted service providers, support organizations and investors.  In 2023 Startup Science was selected to support the Fulbright Entrepreneurship Initiative which is piloting in North America prior to expanding globally through Fulbright’s network of university partners in 160 countries (https://www.fulbright.ca/programs/entrepreneurship-initiative).

Prior to joining Startup Science, Scott served as CEO of Pacific Science and Engineering (PSE) from 2020 until early 2024.  PSE is a San Diego-based technology company that designs science-based human-machine interfaces for complex and high consequence systems including space, aerospace, autonomy, decision support and electrical grid management.

Scott served in the U.S. Navy for 27 years, transitioning in 2019.  His assignments included positions leading strategy, policy and innovation efforts, working directly for 3 and 4-star commanders in the Indo-Pacific region and Washington, D.C. He also held senior policy positions, with a focus in Indo-Asia, on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (J-5), Pacific Fleet staff and U.S. Seventh Fleet staff. At sea he served in Cruiser and Destroyer ships, commanding USS Mustin (DDG 89) and, most recently, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000).

Tait holds Masters degrees from Stanford University in International Policy & Economics, and the U.S. Naval War College in National Security and Strategic Studies.  He is also a graduate of the Columbia University Business School’s Executive Program in Venture Capital, Private Equity and Mergers & Acquisitions.  At the U.S. Naval War College, he was a member of the Halsey Alfa Advanced Research and Wargaming Project.