Dr. William R. Simpson earned his bachelor of science in aerospace engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, a master of science and a doctor of philosophy in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Ohio State University, and a master of science in administration from George Washington University. He has held academic positions at George Mason University, Old Dominion University, the University of Maryland, and Ohio State University. He has held industry positions at the US Naval Air Test Center, the Center for Naval Analyses, the ARINC Research Corporation, and the Institute for Defense Analyses.