Responsible for the day-to-day operations of University of Arizona Applied Research Corporation (UA-ARC), a non-profit, 501(c)3 corporation. UA-ARC was established to support the strategic vision and land grant mission of the University of Arizona by leveraging its strengths in optics, cyber operations, hypersonics, quantum information science, space situational awareness and other research disciplines to execute national security projects or other conditional or restricted activities that cannot otherwise be easily executed directly by University of Arizona.

Organize and conduct business development, capture management, and program management for a newly formed corporation that promotes the unique capabilities of University of Arizona (UA) researchers across a range of disciplines in order to foster investment and collaboration with the nation's aerospace and defense economy.UA-ARC will leverage UA’s longstanding strengths as a public land-grant university serving the state of Arizona, the nation, and the world community and will extend UA’s focus on teaching and learning, research and discovery, and outreach and engagement. UA-ARC will create, convey, and apply knowledge to help develop innovative solutions that advance national security imperatives and contribute to the regional high-tech ecosystem.

Colonel (Retired) Patrick Kerr had a distinguished 27-year career with the United States Army and served most recently as the Army Mission Partner Engagement Officer for the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) from 2015-2017, where he was responsible for the development of information technology requirements and support to the operational Army. Patrick received his commission through ROTC at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia where he graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Webster University and a Master of National Security Strategy from National War College, National Defense University. A career signal corps officer, Patrick was assigned as the Brigade Commander with the Information Systems Engineering Command (ISEC) at Fort Huachuca, Arizona from 2013-2015. He also served as the Executive Assistant to the Director, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Prior to his tour to DISA, Patrick served as the Battalion Commander, 53rd Signal Battalion (SATCON) on Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition, Patrick served in key leadership positions that included Branch Chief J633 / Current Operations, United States Northern Command and as the Chief of Operations, 5th Signal Command, Mannheim, Germany. His operational deployments: Operations Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Joint Endeavor (Bosnia), Restore Hope (Somalia) and Provide Comfort II (Kuwait). His military awards and decorations include: the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (three awards) and the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards). He is authorized to wear the Joint Staff Identification Badge, the United States Air Force Space Badge (Basic) and is a recipient of the Signal Corps Regimental Association’s Silver Order of Mercury.