Episode 29 - Jim Cardoso: Senior Director of USF’s Global and National Security Institute
Jim Cardoso: Senior Director of USF’s Global and National Security Institute
In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I sit down with Jim Cardoso, Senior Director of the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel. Over a 30-year career in special operations aviation and leadership, Jim commanded the Air Force’s first CV-22 Osprey squadron, led combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and earned the Silver Star for the daring rescue of a downed F-117 pilot over Serbia.
Jim reflects on the experiences that shaped his career, the challenges of modern warfare, and how technology continues to redefine national security. We discuss his current work at USF’s Global and National Security Institute, the defense issues that keep him up at night, and the innovations he’s most excited about. He also shares practical career advice for the next generation of security professionals and the skills needed to succeed in today’s defense environment.
Whether you’re a veteran, a national security professional, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of defense, this episode offers hard-earned wisdom and an insider’s perspective on leadership, resilience, and the future of global security.
Guest Bio:
Jim Cardoso became the first Senior Director of the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute July 2022. In this role, he has directed all growth initiatives, day-to-day operations, staff activities of GNSI since its founding.
Jim was previously the Senior Manager, Rotary Wing Programs for CAE Defense and Security. In this role, he planned, organized, staffed, managed, and controlled an assigned program area of over $400M from management of proposals through program life cycles. From 2018-2021, he was Manager for U.S. Air Force Business Development at CAE USA. In this role, he was directly responsible for top-line growth of the company’s USAF business portfolios, and opportunity owner for over $900M in key strategic opportunities across the CAE USA enterprise.
Jim retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2018 as a Colonel, after a 30-year career as an officer and pilot. Over his career he served tours commanding the Air Force’s first CV-22 squadron, the Special Operations Wing at Kirtland AFB overseeing all Air Force Special Operations and Combat Rescue training, and the expeditionary Special Operations Wing conducting special operations aviation in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was an Initial Cadre pilot in the CV-22 Osprey, and as MH-53M Pave Low pilot led the successful combat search and rescue for the F-117 pilot shot down over Serbia in 1999, for which he was awarded the Silver Star. He also served two staff tours at US Special Operations Command, as the Aide-de-Camp to the Commander, USSOCOM, and later as Director of the Global Mission Support Center.
His final USAF assignment was as Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 158 at the University of South Florida, from 2014-2018.
Jim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Master’s Degrees in Strategic Studies from National Defense University and in Aviation Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the St. Petersburg World Affairs Council and previously served two terms as President of the Tampa Chapter of the Air Commando Association.
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