“Find the Need, Fill the Need.”
George Reed, PhD is a distinguished executive leader, educator, retired military officer, author, and nationally recognized expert in leadership, ethics, and organizational development whose career has been defined by service, transformation, and an unwavering commitment to helping people and institutions thrive in complex environments. With more than four decades of leadership experience spanning higher education, military operations, public administration, nonprofit governance, and executive consulting, Dr. Reed has cultivated a reputation as a principled strategist capable of guiding organizations through periods of growth, crisis, and cultural transformation. His leadership philosophy is rooted in integrity, accountability, and the belief that great leadership begins with understanding the needs of others and creating systems that allow individuals and organizations to succeed together.
Dr. Reed’s professional journey began with nearly twenty-seven years of distinguished service in the United States Army, where he rose through the ranks from second lieutenant to colonel while serving in a broad range of military police, investigative, corrections, and leadership positions. Throughout his military career, he demonstrated exceptional operational leadership in highly demanding environments that required strategic decision-making, disciplined execution, and strong interpersonal leadership skills. He commanded military police and criminal investigation units, led multinational operations, supervised corrections facilities, and held key executive leadership positions that shaped military readiness and organizational effectiveness. His experiences leading troops, managing crises, and navigating high-pressure operational environments became foundational to the leadership principles that would later define his academic and consulting career.
As his military career progressed, Dr. Reed became increasingly focused on the development of future leaders and the importance of ethical leadership within organizations. This passion led him to the United States Army War College, where he served as Professor and Director of Command and Leadership Studies. In this role, he educated senior military officers and civilian officials preparing for strategic leadership positions at the highest levels of government and defense. He designed and taught curriculum centered on strategic thinking, organizational behavior, leadership ethics, and public policy while overseeing faculty teams responsible for delivering core leadership instruction. His work at the War College established him as a respected thought leader on leadership culture, systems thinking, and organizational accountability.
Following his military retirement, Dr. Reed transitioned into higher education, bringing with him a unique blend of operational leadership experience and academic expertise. At the University of San Diego, he served as Associate Professor and Associate Dean within the School of Leadership and Education Sciences. There, he played a pivotal role in advancing academic innovation, organizational leadership education, and institutional governance. He taught graduate and doctoral students in leadership studies while helping guide university-wide initiatives related to accreditation, enrollment management, curriculum development, and student affairs. His ability to connect theory with real-world leadership application made him a highly respected educator and mentor among faculty, students, and university administrators alike.
Dr. Reed’s most significant executive leadership role came during his tenure as Dean of the College of Public Service at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. As the inaugural dean of a rapidly growing academic unit, he successfully led programs in criminal justice, public administration, social work, and public safety while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and service. Under his leadership, the college experienced substantial growth in enrollment, expanded online educational offerings, enhanced community partnerships, and strengthened national program recognition. He spearheaded the development of innovative public safety and cybersecurity initiatives, including partnerships that benefited first responders, emergency managers, and community organizations across Colorado. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic further demonstrated his ability to guide institutions through uncertainty while maintaining operational continuity and supporting faculty, staff, and students during unprecedented challenges.
Throughout his career, Dr. Reed has consistently demonstrated the ability to bridge the gap between leadership theory and organizational practice. His expertise in ethics, leadership development, crisis management, organizational culture, and strategic planning has made him a sought-after consultant and advisor to both public and private sector organizations. He has provided leadership consulting and executive development services to organizations including Bank of America, Booz Allen Hamilton, the United States Marine Corps University, the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and numerous other government and private sector entities. His ability to diagnose organizational challenges and create actionable leadership solutions has enabled leaders and institutions to improve performance, strengthen culture, and navigate complex organizational dynamics.
In addition to his executive leadership accomplishments, Dr. Reed is a prolific author, researcher, and speaker whose work has had a lasting impact on conversations surrounding leadership ethics and organizational behavior. His acclaimed book, Tarnished: Toxic Leadership in the U.S. Military, established him as one of the nation’s leading voices on destructive leadership and its impact on organizational culture. Through his writing and research, he has explored topics including toxic leadership, ethics, strategic leadership, systems thinking, organizational climate, and public administration. His publications have appeared in respected academic and professional journals, and his work continues to influence military, academic, and corporate leadership development programs across the country.
Dr. Reed’s expertise as a keynote speaker and presenter has also earned him recognition among military organizations, universities, leadership conferences, law enforcement associations, and executive development forums nationwide. He has delivered presentations and workshops on leadership ethics, toxic leadership, crisis leadership, organizational effectiveness, and character development for organizations such as the United States Marine Corps, U.S. Space Force, National Defense University, and numerous state and national associations. His presentations are widely respected for combining academic insight with practical leadership experience, allowing audiences to connect deeply with the challenges and opportunities facing modern organizations.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Reed has remained deeply committed to service and community engagement. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards and advisory councils dedicated to public safety, community development, leadership advancement, and nonprofit excellence. His board leadership includes service as Chairman of the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs, board member of the Fire Foundation of Colorado Springs, and participation in several community and educational organizations focused on strengthening public service and supporting future leaders. His dedication to veterans, first responders, and nonprofit initiatives reflects his lifelong belief that leadership carries a responsibility to improve the lives of others and contribute positively to society.
Dr. Reed’s educational accomplishments further reinforce his multidisciplinary expertise and intellectual leadership. He earned a Ph.D. in Public Policy Analysis and Administration from Saint Louis University, a Master of Forensic Science from George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Central Missouri, where he graduated summa cum laude. He has also completed extensive professional certifications and leadership development training in executive coaching, appreciative inquiry, mediation, leadership assessment, organizational change, and emotional intelligence. His commitment to lifelong learning has allowed him to remain at the forefront of leadership development and organizational effectiveness throughout his career.
Today, Dr. George E. Reed continues to dedicate his time and expertise to helping organizations strengthen governance, improve leadership culture, and prepare for future challenges. He is actively pursuing board and advisory opportunities where his extensive background in executive leadership, military strategy, ethics, higher education, organizational transformation, and community engagement can provide meaningful value. Whether serving as a trusted advisor, educator, speaker, or board member, Dr. Reed remains focused on empowering leaders and organizations to achieve excellence while remaining grounded in integrity, accountability, and service to others.
Character:
Dr. Reed consistently demonstrates integrity, humility, and a deep commitment to service in every professional role he undertakes. His career reflects a lifelong dedication to ethical leadership, accountability, and improving organizations for the benefit of the people they serve. He is widely respected for his principled leadership style and his ability to lead with empathy, discipline, and fairness.
Knowledge:
He possesses an exceptional depth of knowledge in leadership, organizational behavior, ethics, public administration, and crisis management developed through decades of military, academic, and executive experience. His scholarly contributions, publications, and consulting work demonstrate both intellectual rigor and practical application. He continuously invests in professional growth and leadership education, ensuring his perspectives remain current, informed, and impactful.
Strategic:
Dr. Reed has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to guide organizations through growth, transformation, and operational complexity with a clear strategic vision. His leadership in higher education, military operations, and nonprofit governance reflects a strong understanding of systems thinking, organizational alignment, and long-term planning. He excels at identifying challenges, building collaborative solutions, and positioning organizations for sustainable success.
Communication:
An accomplished communicator, educator, and keynote speaker who has successfully engaged audiences ranging from military leaders to academic institutions and executive teams. His communication style combines clarity, authenticity, and intellectual depth, allowing him to effectively inspire, educate, and influence diverse groups. Through teaching, writing, consulting, and public speaking, he has built a reputation for translating complex leadership concepts into meaningful and actionable insights.
