Steve Asher | National Nuclear Security Administration

Colonel Steve Asher (Retired) is the Acting Chief and Associate Administrator for Defense Nuclear Security. 

Mr. Asher has over three decades of experience in national security, much of it commanding security forces in the Air Force. His experience includes overseeing and leading security forces at both continental and overseas assignments.

At his last assignment at Malmstrom AFB, he commanded the largest Security Forces Group in the U.S. Air Force, providing a high state of security for the largest nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile field in the free world. He managed security force programs and activities to include installation security, air base ground defense, nuclear and conventional weapons system security, law enforcement, investigations, canine training, resource protection, corrections, rehabilitation, and weapons training, and the following security areas: information, personnel, industrial, physical, Wartime Information, classification management. He also was handpicked as the wing’s project manager for acquisition, installation, and certification of the first-ever multi-million dollar electronic security system for the Air Force Space Command, working with various Air Force entities and Sandia National Laboratories to design/implement the system.

After retiring from the Air Force, he was recruited by a Fortune-50 company to join their executive ranks. He held the job for three years before leaving to enjoy retirement. He was drawn back into public service by NNSA in January 2013. 

Mr. Asher earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Chaminade University, Honolulu; his Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento; and second Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C.