Entrepreneur / Innovator

Dr. Rodler F. (Rick) Morris, Sr., PHD

Dr. Rodler F. (Rick) Morris, Sr., PhD, Co-Founder and President of Morris, Nelson, & Associates (MNA) in Leavenworth, Kansas. A former college professor, he had a long career in the Army and Air Force / Joint Civil Service working at Fort Leavenworth, in the Pentagon, and on the Southwest Border in positions such as Command Historian, Program Manager Army Lessons Learned, Chief Knowledge Integrator of the US Army, and Director of Joint Interagency Collaboration on the southern border and approaches. He leads the MNA innovation practice, including support to community, organizational, and digital transformation, after nearly 30 years developing and leading integrated, interdisciplinary innovation, learning, knowledge, data, and analysis capabilities for some of the world’s largest enterprises. The foundational work of his teams and networks is described in numerous publications on knowledge management and learning in action.

Biography

Dr. Rodler F. (Rick) Morris, Sr., PHD a Co-Founder and President of Morris, Nelson, & Associates (MNA) in Leavenworth, Kansas. A former college professor, he had a long career in the Army and Air Force / Joint Civil Service working at Fort Leavenworth, in the Pentagon, and on the Southwest Border in positions such as Command Historian, Program Manager Army Lessons Learned, Chief Knowledge Integrator of the US Army, and Director of Joint Interagency Collaboration on the southern border and approaches. He leads the MNA innovation practice, including support to community, organizational, and digital transformation, after nearly 30 years developing and leading integrated, interdisciplinary innovation, learning, knowledge, data, and analysis capabilities for some of the world’s largest enterprises. The foundational work of his teams and networks is described in numerous publications on knowledge management and learning in action.

With a distinguished career spanning over four decades, Dr. Morris is a recognized leader in organizational change, knowledge management, and counter-human trafficking initiatives.

Education:

  • PhD in Modern European History, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1979)
  • MA in Modern European History, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1972)
  • BA in History, Virginia Military Institute (1969)

Certifications:

  • Five certifications in counter-human trafficking from the United States Attorney’s Office, North American Human Trafficking Conference, and Justice University (2018-2022)
  • Over fifteen certifications in organizational change, including Design Thinking and Systems Practice

Career Highlights:

  • Co-Founder & President, Morris, Nelson & Associates, LLC (2015-Present)
  • Independent Senior Consultant, Intelligence Transformation for Homeland Security (2014-2015)
  • Director, Joint and Interagency Collaboration & Chief Knowledge Officer, Joint Task Force North, US Northern Command (2010-2014)
  • Chief Knowledge Officer, Land Warfare & Program Manager, Battle Command Knowledge System / Army Knowledge Management, Computer Sciences Corporation (2007-2010)
  • Co-Founder & President, Strategic Knowledge Solutions (2006-2007)
  • Chief Knowledge Officer, Training and Leader Development, Cubic Corporation (2005-2007)
  • US Army Chief Knowledge Integrator and Adviser, Office of the Secretary of the Army, CIO / G6 (2002-2005)
  • Program Manager, US Army Lessons Learned & Deputy Director, Center for Army Lessons Learned (1994-2002)
  • Command Historian, US Army Combined Arms Center (1987-1994)
  • Visiting Associate Professor, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1990-1991)
  • Associate Professor, Hillsdale College (1978-1987)

Board & Civic Engagement:

  • Board of Directors, ReHope (Restoration House of Greater Kansas City) (2019-2024)
  • Supporting Justice & Dignity Center, Kansas City Metro

Military Service:

  • US Army Reserves and National Guard (1969-1975)

Publications & Research: Dr. Morris has authored numerous strategic plans, articles, and academic works on military history, knowledge management, and threat networks. Notable publications include:

  • Co-author, “Race and Spirituality: Arthur Dinter’s Theosophical Antisemitism,” Holocaust and Genocide Studies (Oxford University Press, 1991)
  • Author, From Weimar Philosemite to Nazi Apologist (Edwin Mellen Press, 1989)
  • Co-author, “Arthur Dinter,” Badische Biographien, Neue Folge (Kohlhammer, 1987)
  • Author, “Philosemitism on the German Right: The Case of the Novelist Walter Bloem,” Simon Wiesenthal Center Annual (1986)

Awards & Honors:

  • Department of the Air Force Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award
  • Department of the Air Force Award for Exemplary Civilian Service
  • Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Intelligence Collaboration Award
  • eGov Institute Knowledge Management Award (2005 and subsequent years)
  • Department of the Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service
  • Vice President of the United States Hammer Award
  • Computerworld Smithsonian Award for Innovation
  • Distinguished Academic Graduate, Virginia Military Institute
  • Distinguished Military Graduate, Virginia Military Institute
  • Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award (Marquis Who’s Who)

Philosophy & Vision: Dr. Morris attributes his success to family, friends, and teammates, along with his passion for learning, servant leadership, and collaboration. His career has been driven by a fascination with complex adaptive systems and the belief that understanding these systems enables positive change. He emphasizes the importance of working together to tackle society’s most pressing challenges.

Personal:

  • Married to Deborah Morris
  • Children: Rodler Morris, Todd Morris, Kristopher Hawkins, Kira Haynes, Brion Hawkins
  • Avocations: Grandchildren, reading, sports
  • Religion: Episcopalian
  • Website: mnallc.com
  • Life Motto: “We must arrive at simplicity on the right side of complexity.”