Dr. Colin Crosby

Dr. Colin Crosby is an accomplished leader currently serving as the Marine Corps Service Data Officer (SDO) and Deputy DON Chief Data Officer (CDO). In these pivotal roles, he strategically develops and implements comprehensive approaches, as well as governance for enterprise data and content management, information and knowledge management, and artificial intelligence.

With a distinguished military career spanning over 24 years, Dr. Crosby is a retired Marine Corps Communications Officer. His journey began in Kingston, Jamaica, and he later immigrated to the United States in 1983. A proud alumnus of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1994. Dr. Crosby’s commitment to service led to his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in August 1996 after completing Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. Dr. Crosby’s first assignment in the Marine Corps was the S-6A for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa. In this capacity, he served as the Communication Platoon Commander, contributing significantly to exercises and deployments throughout the Asia-Pacific Region.

In pursuit of higher education, Dr. Crosby transitioned to the Inactive Ready Reserves in August 2004, earning his MBA in December 2006. His commitment to academic excellence culminated in the completion of a Doctorate in Business Administration, specializing in Information Security.

Dr. Crosby demonstrated his prowess in business administration as the Business Development Lead for M.E.R.I.T., Inc. in Newark, NJ. In this role, he spearheaded strategic initiatives that significantly shaped the company’s trajectory. Dr. Crosby’s vision and capabilities were solicited by M.E.R.I.T. to develop and execute a comprehensive future business strategy for the company. Dr. Crosby’s leadership acumen and strategic vision, emphasizing his pivotal role in helping to reshape the long-term direction of M.E.R.I.T., playing a pivotal role in steering M.E.R.I.T. towards innovation and future growth.

In 2008 Dr. Crosby joined the Marine Corps’ Reserve IMA Detachment and was mobilized in support of Operations Enduring Freedom as the II MEF Information Technology Officer/Information Assurance Manager. In October 2010, Dr. Crosby was assigned to the U.S. Military Observer Group – Washington, where he supported the United Nations Mission to Haiti (MINUSTAH) as the Information Technology Officer for the military component. In 2014, Dr. Crosby supported MARFORCOM G-6 before transitioning to HQMC DC, Plans, Policies, & Operations as their SharePoint and Collaboration subject matter expert. In 2019, Dr. Crosby assumed the pivotal role of Information and Knowledge Manager at HQMC DC Information.

Dr. Crosby’s exceptional service has earned him personal decorations, including the Certificate of Commendation, The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.