Elmer Roman serves as the Director of Mission Integration (MI) for Mission Capabilities (MC) in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E). In this role, he directs MI in developing mission-based inputs for the requirements process, improves Joint Force capability integration and experimentation, and informs the development and maturation of joint warfighting concepts and operational plans. He is focused on bringing together the technical infrastructure and expertise for mission engineering analysis. This includes the data, modeling and simulation, and training, to evaluate and address end-to-end mission-based capability gaps to guide key enterprise technology investment decisions.

Prior to assuming his current duties, Mr. Roman served as Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Public Safety of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He was also the Homeland Security Advisor to the Governor of Puerto Rico. His experience includes serving as Director of the Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) Program within OUSD(R&E), for which he directed the planning and transition of new capabilities to the Joint Forces and National Security Agencies. He served as Oversight Executive for International Cooperation and Asymmetric Warfare programs, implementing Department of Defense efforts in security cooperation, humanitarian assistance, disaster management, fighting transnational organized crime, and capacity building for allied countries. From 2005 to 2010, he served in a diplomatic assignment as Regional Director of the Office of Naval Research Global at the United States Embassy in Santiago, Chile. 

Mr. Roman joined the Senior Executive Service in August 2020 and is a Captain (O-6) in the United States Navy Reserve. He serves as the Diving, Heavy Lift and Salvage Mentor Group Lead following three successful tours as a Commanding Officer. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1991 to 1997. He transitioned to the United States Navy Reserve as an Engineering Duty Officer. He led heavy lift salvage support missions worldwide, including heavy lift operations of destroyers USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) and USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) after collisions in 2017. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009.

Mr. Roman’s awards include United States Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Medals (two awards), United States Navy Meritorious Service Medals (two awards), and the Chilean Armed Forces Military Star for his work during the response to a category 8.8 earthquake in 2010, amongst others. He is a recipient of the United States Navy League’s Rear Admiral William S. Parsons Award for Scientific and Technical Progress, the General Carl A. Spaatz Award, the STEM Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Luminary Award, and a Department of State Meritorious Honor Award, and a National Aeronautics and Space Administration Technical Achievement Commendation.

Mr. Roman holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Campus and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He graduated from the United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidates School, the United States Navy Senior Engineering Duty Officer School, and the Federal Executive Institute of the United States Office of Personnel Management.