Col (Ret) Thomas Spahr 

Francis W. De Serio Chair of Strategic and Theater Intelligence

The De Serio Chair is a fully-funded teaching and research position at the U.S. Army War College in the Department of National Security and Strategy. The Chair provides the incumbent with opportunities to expand and exchange knowledge with students, faculty, the National Intelligence Community, and Unified Command intelligence organizations on the critical role of intelligence in the formulation of national and theater security and strategy, and to enhance public understanding of the vital contributions of strategic intelligence to national security affairs.

This Chair is funded with an endowment through the generosity of Charlotte H. Watts through the Russell Pearce and Elizabeth Crimian Heuer Foundation, in honor of her late husband, Francis W. DeSerio. Fran De Serio was a 1972 graduate of USAWC and a long-time friend of the Army War College Foundation and member of the Board of Trustees. He retired in 1987 after 34 years of federal service and passed away in 2002.

COL (Ret) Thomas W. Spahr currently holds the position of De Serio Chair.  He was most recently an Army War College professor and the Chair of the Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations.  He served as military intelligence before transitioning to the War College in July 2020.  Colonel Spahr holds an M.S. and a Ph.D. in History from The Ohio State University and an M.S.S. from the Army War College.  Colonel Spahr taught military history at West Point and the U.S. Air Force Academy. 

Prior to Academic Year 2016, the Chair was a part-time position. The Chair has been held by:

Dr. Genevieve Lester, 2018-2023

Mr. Anthony R. “Tony” Williams, 2008-2010; 2011-2013

Dr. William I. Rodier III, 2010-2011

Prof. Richard H. Immerman, Temple University, 2013-2016