As Professor of Practice for Defence Innovation and Applications at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Gary champions defence entrepreneurship, translating R&D into investable defence technologies, and fostering cross-border collaborations between NUS and start-ups, VCs, and global universities. At NUS Enterprise, the university’s entrepreneurial heart, he bridges cutting-edge research with market-driven defence solutions.
Over a 27-year career in the Singapore Government, he served as a Brigadier-General in the Republic of Singapore Air Force and later as Deputy Secretary (Policy) in the Ministry of Defence. In these roles, he commanded a leading fighter aircraft base, negotiated the Strategic Framework Agreement between the United States and Singapore, and led the organisation of the Shangri-la Dialogue.
Beyond his military operations and policy experience, Gary spent over 12 years at Temasek, taking on senior leadership roles including Managing Director positions across Macro Strategy, Strategic & Public Affairs, and as Operating Partner. There, he guided global investment decisions through the lens of geopolitical and technological risk. Today, he continues to advise global start-ups in defence, space, and AI.
Gary was awarded both the President’s scholarship and the Singapore Armed Forces scholarship. He holds a BA in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford, an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MA in Political Science from Auburn University, where he also attended the US Air Force Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama. He also completed the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School. Gary has received three Singapore National Day Awards, the Public Administration (Military) (Gold) Medal, two (Military) (Silver) Medals, and the Legion of Merit from the US government.
Gary previously served on the boards of Singapore Totalisator Board (a statutory board of the Ministry of Finance that dispenses grants for socioeconomic impact causes), Ngee Ann Polytechnic (a tertiary educational institution), and ST Engineering Aerospace (a commercial and defence company).