Thomas P. Rona
Encyclopedia
Thomas P. Rona was a 1980's era science advisor to the Defense Department and the White House under Presidents Reagan and Bush.
Born in Budapest, Hungary, Rona graduated from Ecole Superieure d'Electricite (M.E., 1943; E.E., 1945); and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(M.S. in E.E.; Sc.D. in E.E., 1955). He received his license certificate in physical electronics at the Sorbonne
in 1946. The author of several books and articles with his best known probably being Our Changing Geo-Political Premises published in 1982. Dr. Rona is also credited by some with coining the term of Information War
or warfare which he used in a report entitled “Weapon Systems and Information War” delivered to Boeing in 1976. He worked in Seattle, Washington
for the Boeing Company from 1959 to 1984.
During the 1980's, Dr. Rona held various posts in the Executive Branch to include Special Assistant for Space Policy at the Department of Defense
, 1984 to 1986 and Assistant Director for Government Programs in the Office of Science and Technology Policy
at the White House
, 1986 to 1987. On June 16, 1987, President Ronald Reagan
announced Rona's nomination as Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
In June 1989 he briefly succeeded Dr. William Graham
by becoming Acting Science Advisor to President George H.W. Bush, a position he held until President Bush's choice was available in August of that year. When Rona left government service, he did private consulting work in the general area of Information Warfare
for companies such as Aegis Research Corporation then headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia
.
Born in Budapest, Hungary, Rona graduated from Ecole Superieure d'Electricite (M.E., 1943; E.E., 1945); and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
(M.S. in E.E.; Sc.D. in E.E., 1955). He received his license certificate in physical electronics at the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
in 1946. The author of several books and articles with his best known probably being Our Changing Geo-Political Premises published in 1982. Dr. Rona is also credited by some with coining the term of Information War
Information warfare
The term Information Warfare is primarily an American concept involving the use and management of information technology in pursuit of a competitive advantage over an opponent...
or warfare which he used in a report entitled “Weapon Systems and Information War” delivered to Boeing in 1976. He worked in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
for the Boeing Company from 1959 to 1984.
During the 1980's, Dr. Rona held various posts in the Executive Branch to include Special Assistant for Space Policy at the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
, 1984 to 1986 and Assistant Director for Government Programs in the Office of Science and Technology Policy
Office of Science and Technology Policy
The Office of Science and Technology Policy is an office in the Executive Office of the President , established by Congress on May 11, 1976, with a broad mandate to advise the President on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs.The director of this office is...
at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
, 1986 to 1987. On June 16, 1987, President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
announced Rona's nomination as Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
In June 1989 he briefly succeeded Dr. William Graham
William Robert Graham
William Graham was a Deputy Administrator and Acting Administrator of NASA during 1985 and 1986.Born in San Antonio, Texas, Graham received his B.S. degree in physics from the California Institute of Technology in 1959. In addition, he earned an M.S. degree in engineering science in 1961, and a Ph.D...
by becoming Acting Science Advisor to President George H.W. Bush, a position he held until President Bush's choice was available in August of that year. When Rona left government service, he did private consulting work in the general area of Information Warfare
Information warfare
The term Information Warfare is primarily an American concept involving the use and management of information technology in pursuit of a competitive advantage over an opponent...
for companies such as Aegis Research Corporation then headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia
Rosslyn, Virginia
Rosslyn is an unincorporated area in Northern Virginia located in the northeastern corner of Arlington County, Virginia, north of Arlington National Cemetery and directly across the Potomac River from Georgetown in Washington, D.C. Rosslyn encompasses the Arlington neighborhoods of North Rosslyn...
.