Robert “Otis” Winkler served as a professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee from 2018 until 2022 and was the Staff-lead for Air Land Subcommittee, responsible for legislative oversight of all Air Force and Army programs. Additionally he was responsible for oversight of all space activities including U.S. Space Force and Space Command, all manned and unmanned aviation in DoD, electro-magnetic spectrum operations, warfighting networks, and hypersonic/counter-hypersonic weapons development for the Department of Defense.

In previous roles, Otis served in the U.S. Air Force, as an F-16 Weapons School Graduate with assignments in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He commanded an F-16 Fighter Squadron and an Operations Group comprised of fighter & air control squadrons. His staff assignments included the Director of the Weapons Systems Division for the U.S. Air Force Legislative Liaison Office and the Special Assistant to the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA). Additionally, he served in industry as a Senior Principal for Strategy and Advanced Technology at Harris Corporation.
Mr. Winkler holds a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Illinois, an M.A. in National Security Policy from American Public University, an M.S. in Strategy and Joint Campaign Planning from National Defense University, and an M.S. in National Security Strategy from the National War College.
He currently serves as the Vice President of Corporate Development and National Security Programs for Kratos Defense.