Colonel (Ret.) James S. Overbye

Colonel (Ret.) James S. Overbye is a national security, counterproliferation, and biodefense expert with more than three decades of leadership in military operations, strategic security, and international threat reduction. Throughout his career, he has advised senior military and civilian leaders on countering chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, strengthening allied and partner-nation capabilities, and advancing international security cooperation.

During a distinguished 29-year career in the United States Army, Colonel Overbye served as an Infantry and Counterproliferation Officer in command and senior staff assignments across Europe, Central America, Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia. His operational experience includes combat service in Afghanistan, where he commanded and advised multinational organizations supporting counterinsurgency operations, security force development, and regional stability.

Following his retirement from military service, Colonel Overbye has provided strategic leadership for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) initiatives supporting the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the U.S. Department of State. He has directed complex programs focused on reducing global WMD threats, enhancing biodefense and CBRN preparedness, strengthening partner-nation capacity, and advancing U.S. national security objectives through international engagement, technical cooperation, and capacity-building initiatives.

Colonel Overbye earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, a Master of Arts from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Science in Biodefense from George Mason University.