Who was Alfred Loomis?
Alfred Lee Loomis, a Wall Street investor turned inventor, was the first cousin of Henry L. Stimson. After making a personal fortune before the stock market crashed in 1929, Loomis funded a private lab that brought together some of the most accomplished scientists of the 1940s. Albert Einstein, Werner Heisenberg, Niels Bohr, and Enrico Fermi supported an effort that is credited with helping change the course of the Second World War and of humanity. The Loomis Council captures Loomis’ fervor for problemsolving, his maverick ability
to operate beyond existing systems, and his commitment
to advancing a better vision of tomorrow.
Council Membership
Individual members of the Council have access to an impressive network of tech and policy experts as well as the opportunity to apply their specialized expertise to real-world policy challenges and participate in valuable conversations about the tech/policy nexus. Members participate in meetings throughout the year where Stimson experts present policy problems with potential for tech interventions, as well as engage in virtual brainstorming sessions on specific policy problems and topics, facilitating introductions to others in their fields who may have insights into the issues Stimson’s programs are tackling.
Loomis Accelerator
The Loomis Accelerator is a novel platform for testing and developing promising ideas and technologies that have the potential to tackle global security challenges. Under the leadership of Dr. David Bray as Chair and inspired by the legacy of Alfred Lee Loomis, this initiative brings together innovative thinkers and cutting-edge technology to address critical international issues.
Why it matters:
The Accelerator is designed to explore diverse ideas from a variety of sources—public, private, and governmental. By fostering collaboration across sectors, it seeks to develop fresh approaches to global security, human rights, and environmental challenges. In today’s fast-paced world, traditional policymaking can’t always keep up with new threats. The Accelerator aims to bridge this gap by enabling real-time learning and adaptation, ensuring practical solutions that can make a real-world impact. By focusing on “learning by doing,” the Accelerator will prioritize projects that can deliver innovative and effective results, advancing the Stimson Center’s mission in dynamic new ways.
Dr. David Bray, a Distinguished Fellow with the Stimson Center and member of the Alfred Lee Loomis Council, will serve as the inaugural Accelerator Chair. To contact him, please email [email protected] with questions or ideas.
Council Members
Featured Challenges
