Ruben Lopez currently serves as the Deputy Director and Chief of Staff of the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies. He assumed this position in May 2023.

Prior to the Perry Center, Ruben worked in private industry as an engineering manager. In this role he supported the Department of Energy in the management, retrieval, and treatment of legacy radioactive and hazardous waste at the Hanford Nuclear reservation.

His previous service in the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer included sea tours deploying to the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Ashore he has held multiple staff and command tours.

Mr. Lopez continues to serve as an officer in the US Navy Reserve, supporting US Naval Forces Southern Command as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Coordination and Guidance of Shipping unit.

Mr. Lopez holds a BS in aerospace engineering from the US Naval Academy, and master's degree in business administration from the University of Puerto Rico. He is a licensed professional engineer. Mr. Lopez completed his Joint Professional Military Education Phase I from the Naval War College and is a graduate of the Joint and Combined Warfighting School from the Joint Forces Staff College.