In his first professional career, Jae served in the U.S. Air Force through the rank of Colonel. He was an intelligence officer and platoon leader in Vietnam, an aide in Taiwan, a missile and senior standardization-evaluation commander, an Air Force planner, an international political affairs officer, a Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) representative and negotiator, a war college professor, and research director of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s 2025 Study. Next, Jae joined Alvin and Heidi Toffler, whom Time magazine calls the grandparents of futures study, to found Toffler Associates, a strategic advisory firm that helps CEOs, senior executives and general/flag officers lead their organizations to success in a rapidly changing market and environment. After leading Toffler Associates as a Partner and Senior Fellow, he formed Engelbrecht Associates to continue advising the firm and other clients.
Jae Engelbrecht has advised senior executives in business and government in the United States and around the globe. As a JCS representative, he advised the U.S. delegation and subsequently led teams negotiating the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I), and the Treaty on Further Reduction of Strategic Nuclear Arms (START II), and then hopped between Geneva, Moscow, Minsk, Kiev, Tokyo, and Washington to devise ways for former Soviet Union states to dismantle their arsenals. He was the US Government policy lead on the first START inspection. President George H.W. Bush commended him, and he became the first non-diplomat decorated by the Secretary of State. He created Toffler Associates trademarked Alternate Futures for Consulting practice and Full Spectrum Exploration methodology. Trying to understand how he recognized emerging issues, the CIA asked his team to identify the top 20 issues not on their radar without acknowledging their current efforts; each of the issues Jae highlighted inaugurated new agency initiatives. On multiple occasions, he served on panels for the National Academies of Sciences, Medicine, & Technologies.
Jae received a BA in East Asian History and Chinese from the University of Maryland, a MA in Public Administration from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master of Philosophy and a Ph.D. in International Relations and political science from Columbia University. He completed the leadership program at the Wharton School. He was an Executive Director at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He is the author of Alternate Futures for 2025 and multiple articles.
As a Scouter, Jae currently serves as the NCAC Deputy Council Commissioner. He is also a member of the National Commissioner Technology Task Force. He has been awarded the Scouters Training Award, Scouters Key, the Distinguished Commissioners Award, Commissioners Award of Excellence in Unit Service, District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, the Doctorate in Commissioner Science, The Philmont Master Trainer Knot and Device and the Council’s John A. Mack Commissioner’s Award of Excellence. He wears the beads of Woodbadge.
Please join us on Wednesday, June 2 at 6:00pm as we recognize Dr. Engelbrecht and his fellow 2021 NOESA Honorees. To become a sponsor for this event, please visit www.NCACBSA.org/NOESA. Proceeds will go towards providing Eagle Scout Recognition Kits for new Eagle Scouts in the National Capital Area Council.
