Our Team

BG (Ret) Rolf Wagner became the German Deputy Director, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, in October 2022 after retiring from the Bundeswehr as a brigadier general, with 44 years of service. From 2018 until his retirement in 2022, Deputy Director Wagner served as the Director of Academic Planning & Policy at the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy-his final assignment, and a fitting end to a distinguished career.

Deputy Director Wagner joined the German Army in 1978 as an Artillery Officer and achieved a Master's of Science after studying geodesy at the Munich Bundeswehr University. Throughout his career, he served in a myriad of staff, advisory and command positions to include: Special Assistant to the Political Advisor of COMSFOR, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Deputy Political Advisor, HQ SFOR; Commander, 405th Armoured Artillery Battalion (Ml09 & PzH 2000); Faculty Adviser and Tactics Instructor at the National General Staff Course, and later as the Director of the Army Operations Department, at the Führungsakademie (Armed Forces Command and Staff College), Hamburg, Germany; and Assistant Chief of Staff (ACOS) "J" Assessments at Joint Force Command Brunssum, Netherlands; Assistant Chief of Staff G3 and later, after promotion to Brigadier General, as the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support), HQ Multinational Corps North East, in Szczecin, Poland. 

Deputy Director Wagner attended both the General Staff Officer's course at the Führungsakademie in Hamburg and the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and was subsequently selected as a Fellow at the School for Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth where he attained a second Master's in Military Arts. In 2017 he completed the German Capstone Course at the Führungsakademie, Hamburg, and in 2018, the General's and Flag Officer's Course at the NATO Defense College, Rome, Italy. 

Lieutenant General Mag. Erich Csitkovits's military career began with professional officer training at the Theresan Military Academy from 1980 to 1983. Over the years, he held key leadership roles, starting as the Leader of a light tank platoon and advancing to become the Commander of a mechanized infantry company, a light tank company, and a headquarters company. His extensive career encompasses positions such as S3 and XO of the 35 Mechanized Infantry Battalion and later as the Commanding Officer of the 3 Engineer Battalion.

His career took a significant turn toward the realm of defense administration, where he served as the Head of Section in the Ministry of Defence, Deputy Director of the Mobilisation Division, and Director of the Staff Division in the Cabinet of the Federal Minister of Defence. Notably, LG Csitkovits assumed the pivotal role of Commandant of the National Defence Academy in Vienna in 2011, where he continues to contribute to military education and leadership and holding the Senior Austrian Representative position in the PfPC.

LG Csitkovits's international exposure includes training at the Command and Staff College of the German Bundeswehr in Hamburg and the NATO Defence College in Rome. Additionally, he represented Austria in the U.S. International Visitor Program in 1999, showcasing his commitment to international collaboration. Throughout his career, he engaged in various roles, including project officer for multinational initiatives, planning and senior project officer for staff exercises, and a supporting speaker at the NATO School in Oberammergau.

Major General Stayko Prokopiev graduated from "Vasil Levski" National Military University in Veliko Tarnovo in 1988, followed by further studies at "G. S. Rakovski" National Defence College in Sofia in 1997, and later, the National Defence University War College in Washington D.C. in 2009. His academic accomplishments were complemented by specialized courses, including the NATO CIMIC Tactical-Operational Course, the "Military and Peacekeeping Operations" Course in Rhode Island, USA, and the Staff Officers Operational Course at NATO School Oberammergau, Germany. He is proficient in both English and Russian.

Major General Prokopiev’s distinguished military career began with his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1988. Over the years, he held various command and staff positions, starting as a Tank Platoon Leader and advancing to roles such as Tank Company Commander and Combat Training Staff Officer. He gained significant international experience serving in the Swedish battalion headquarters of the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) and later in the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR). He also held key positions in the Bulgarian Armed Forces Headquarters, including Branch Head for National Operations and Senior Assistant Chief in the Planning and Execution of Operations Department. 

In recent years, Major General Prokopiev has held several high-profile roles, including Commander of the NATO Force Integration Unit in Bulgaria, Defence Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Bulgaria to the European Union in Brussels, and Director of Defence Staff. Since April 2024, he has been serving as the Commandant of Rakovski National Defence College. His dedication and service have been acknowledged through various promotions, from 2nd Lieutenant in 1988 to Brigadier General in 2019, and ultimately to Major General in 2020. Major General Prokopiev is married and has a son and a daughter.

Major-General Denis O’Reilly joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1991. In 1995, he earned his RCAF pilot wings and was subsequently stationed at 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Edmonton, AB. His early flying experience involved piloting the CH135 Twin-Huey and later transitioning to the CH146 Griffon helicopters.

From 2000 to 2003, MG O’Reilly undertook foreign exchange duties with 664 Squadron Army Air Corps in Dishforth, UK. During this period, he flew the Lynx Anti-Tank Helicopter and assumed roles such as Squadron Operations Officer and Squadron Second-in-Command. Following his promotion to Major in 2003, he took on the leadership role as the Officer Commanding (OC) 664 Squadron. Returning to Canada in 2003, he held various Flight Commander and operational positions in Gagetown, Halifax, and Kingston.

Promoted to the rank of Colonel in 2015, MG O’Reilly assumed the role of Director Air Force Training until 2016, at which point he returned to Moose Jaw, his hometown, to command 15 Wing - the hub of RCAF pilot training and home to The Snowbirds aerobatic team. His career trajectory continued with a posting in August 2020 to 2 Canadian Air Division as the Commander. After leading individual training and education for the RCAF for two years, he moved to the Office of the Chief of the Defence Staff in August 2022 as Chief of Staff. In June 2023, coinciding with his promotion to Major-General, he was appointed Commander, Canadian Defence Academy, which holds the Senior Canadian Representative position in the PfPC.

His educational achievements include graduating from the Advanced Aerospace Operations Course, the Joint Command and Staff Program, and the United States Air Force Air War College. Major-General O’Reilly holds a Bachelor of Philosophy degree and a Masters of Defence Studies. Recognizing his exceptional contributions, he was appointed to the Order of Military Merit in November 2019.

COL (P) Thorsten Ilg was born on 2 October 1968 in Herne, North Rhine-Westphalia. He entered the Bundeswehr in 1988 and embarked on a career marked by both academic and operational achievements. After studying Aerospace Engineering at the Bundeswehr University in Munich from 1989 to 1993, he became a PATRIOT Tactical Control Officer with the 4th Squadron, 24 Surface-to-Air Missile Group, based in Oldenburg. His subsequent positions as PATRIOT Operations Officer and S3 Operations Officer, first with the 5th Squadron and later with the 25 Surface-to-Air Missile Group, refined his expertise in air defense and operational coordination.

In 2001, COL Ilg completed the General Staff Officer Course (Air Force) at the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College in Hamburg, which propelled him to more prominent roles. From 2003 to 2006, he served as Operations Staff Officer and Chief of the A3a Section at HQ 1st Air Division in Fürstenfeldbruck. His career further evolved with appointments as a Desk Officer in the Air Staff III 6 at the Federal Ministry of Defence in Bonn, followed by his role as Assistant to Parliamentary State Secretary Thomas Kossendey in Berlin. Between 2010 and 2012, COL Ilg commanded the 23 Surface-to-Air Missile Group in Manching/Oberstimm and later assumed command of the 1st Training Wing at the Air Force Officer School in Fürstenfeldbruck, focusing on preparing new officers for active duty.

Throughout his service, COL Ilg has demonstrated strong leadership in diverse postings. In 2014, he was appointed Group Chief of Ground-Based Air Defence and Tactical Air Command and Control Service at the Air Force Operational Forces Command in Cologne. In 2016, he became Head of Directorate I at the Bundeswehr Office for Defence Planning in Berlin, where he led innovation initiatives. His assignments at the Federal Ministry of Defence as Chief of Branch Plg I 2, and his mission experiences in Afghanistan and Turkey. In July 2024, COL Ilg became Director of Training and Education as well as Deputy Commandant of the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College in Hamburg. His dedication has been recognized with the Gold Cross of Honour of the Bundeswehr. He is married with two children.

Christophe Lhomme was born on 8 August 1968 in Saint-Mandrier-Sur-Mer (France). He is married and has three boys aged 22, 15 and 13. He joined the French Army in 1990, graduating three years later from French academy École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr with a major in International Relations. 

In 1993, he began a career as an officer in the motorized infantry and then in the special operations forces (SOF). For 10 years, he exercised managerial responsibilities as a platoon leader, a SOF group leader, and then as a company commander. From 1994 to 2002, he served abroad in various specialties ranging from “head of operations” to “SOF team leader”, “Forward Air Controller” or “psychological operations team leader”. During this period, he served in French Guyana, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Gabon, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Egypt. 

In 2002, at the rank of major, he started the second part of his career which brought him to the general staff in Paris where he prepared a competitive exam for the War Staff College (École de guerre). Two years later he passed this exam and was admitted to the University of Marne-la-Vallée where he earned (2005) a Master’s Degree in geopolitics and European studies. He then graduated from both the French and the Belgian war staff colleges. More recently (2020), he earned a university diploma (DU) in "Neuro-Education".

From 2006 to 2024, as a lieutenant colonel and then as a colonel, he served successively in Norfolk (USA), Brussels (BEL), Paris (FRA) and then again in Brussels (BEL) in assignments that focused on relations between France and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), on transformation and capabilities issues (NDPP) and more recently, on partnership and cooperative security matters. From 2019 to 2022, he held the position of head of a junior military school (1,000 people, including 850 pupils) in Aix-en-Provence (FRA).

Colonel (retired) Lhomme is a decorated Knight of the Legion of Honour and Officer of the National Order of Merit. He enjoys family activities, endurance sports, badminton and cooking. 

On 1 October 2024, he became Head of the Delivery section in the IS’ Operations Division. He is in charge of implementing and coordinating various defence and security programmes for NATO partners. 

Rear Adm. Prof. Tomasz Szubrycht commenced his military journey after graduating first in his class from the Navigation and Naval Weapons faculty in 1987. He started his service in the reconnaissance group of the 3rd Flotilla in Gdynia. Over the years, his career trajectory showcased a series of accomplishments, including his appointment as the executive officer of the reconnaissance ship ORP "Hydrograf" in March 1990 and subsequently being named its commanding officer in November 1996.

He attended postgraduate studies at the Naval War College in Newport (USA) from 1997 to 1998, graduating with honors. His leadership was recognized in 1999 when the ORP "Hydrograf" under his command was named the best ship of the Polish Navy in the "special purpose group," and he was awarded the badge "Exemplary Commander" in 2001.

Transitioning to academia, Rear Adm. Szubrycht defended his dissertation with honors in May 2002 at the Navigation and Naval Weapons faculty of the Naval Academy. Subsequently, he assumed the role of assistant professor at the Naval Academy, engaging in research and teaching. Over the years, he furthered his academic achievements, earning his PhD at the National Defense Academy in 2009. His impactful role as Deputy Dean for Science from 2010 to 2012 was marked by organizing scientific activities and fostering cooperation with national and international universities and research institutions. Notably, he is the creator and main editor of the "Maritime Security Yearbook." He now serves as the Rector-Commandant for the Polish Naval Academy, which holds the Senior Polish Representative position in the PfPC.

Throughout his career, Brigadier General Amstutz has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to service. Starting as a Captain in 1994, he progressively climbed the ranks, taking on key roles such as Commander of a medium air defence battery and later Chief of Operations in an air defence territorial brigade staff. Notably, he assumed leadership as Deputy Commander of the Air Defence Recruit School in Payerne in 2001 and later became the Commandant of the integral air defence courses at GBAD Training Unit 33, Emmen, in 2006. His journey culminated in his current role at GCSP.

His multifaceted functions include instructing at the light air defence recruit school, serving as a class teacher for conversion courses, and participating in advanced command and staff courses. BG Amstutz's extensive background encompasses leadership positions, such as Commandant Air Defence Training Unit 33 in 2008 and Military Representative at NATO Headquarters and the EU in 2017. His wealth of experience and strategic insights makes him a valuable asset in his role as Senior Defence Advisor.

BG Amstutz currently holds the position of Senior Defence Advisor at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) in Geneva. In this role, he serves as the representative for GCSP in conferences, seminars, workshops, and podiums, both within Switzerland and internationally. His responsibilities encompass expanding GCSP's networks, particularly in policy, the private sector, and civil and military security partnerships, to include holding the Senior Swiss Representative position in the PfPC.

Major General Callert attended the Field Artillery Officers Course at the Swedish Artillery Officer School, where he was commissioned as an officer with the rank of second lieutenant. His initial assignment led him to the Norrland Artillery Regiment, where he served for approximately ten years. His international experience includes serving as Deputy Section Chief of S3 in the Swedish battalion headquarters as part of the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) from August 1996 to April 1997.

He served in Kosovo as a staff officer J7 in the Swedish contingent KS03 and later as a staff officer at the Army Tactical Command, responsible for indirect fire. His leadership roles included serving as the commander of Norrland Artillery Battalion and commanding officer of the Artillery Combat School.

MG Callert's responsibilities expanded to leadership positions, including heading the Analysis and Follow-up Section in the Joint Forces Command and serving as Assistant Chief of Armed Forces Training & Procurement and Swedish delegation to the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission in Korea from June 2021. He currently serves as the Deputy Vice Chancellor at the Swedish Defence University, which holds the Senior Swedish Representative position in the PfPC.

MG (Ret) Seguin entered active duty in 1989 as a distinguished graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corps after graduating from the State University of New York at Potsdam.  He went on to hold flying assignments to include duties as flight examiner, instructor pilot, wing chief of safety, and operations officer, with commands at the squadron, group, wing and Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force levels.

General Seguin held a variety of command and staff positions:  Commander, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan and the NATO Air Command-Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan; Director, Strategy, Engagement, and Programs, U.S. Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany; Commander, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy; Inspector General, Headquarters Air Combat Command; Office of the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force as senior executive officer; Commander, 14th Flying Training Wing, Air Education and Training Command; and senior Special Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe.

General Seguin retired from the U.S. Air Force in October 2020 as a major general after more than 31 years of active service.  His last assignment while on active duty was as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Employment, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Belgium. He became the Director, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in June 2021, which holds the Senior USA Representative position in the PfPC.