Speakers

Jay Kopcha serves as the Senior Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Analyst and Strategist in the USAFRICOM J5 Plans Division CWMD Branch. As a CACI Special Operations and Asymmetric Solutions Group (SOAS) contractor, Jay provides technical expertise on the Department of Defense (DOD) CWMD and CBRN Defense policies, integrating those national and DOD policies into the USAFRICOM Theater Strategy, the USAFRICOM Campaign Plan (ACP), annual exercise/training events, joint operations, deliberate and crisis action planning, assessments and engagements. 

Jay is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel CBRN Defense Officer with over 29 years of service. Prior to this assignment, he served at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) HQs, in Mons, Belgium as both the CBRN Defense Operations and Strategic Plans Officer from 2016-2023. Jay also served as the Secretary to NATO’s Joint CBRN Defense Capability Development Group (JCBRND-CDG) from 2018-2023. Throughout his career, he has served as a CBRN Defense Officer in the infantry and special forces, and as Battalion Executive Officer in an armored division.

Jay holds a Masters degree in Environmental Management from Webster University, and Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. He is married and has three children.