Jessie Riposo

Director, Disaster Management & Resilience Program, RAND Homeland Security Research Division; Senior Operations Researcher

Washington Office

Education

M.S. in operations research and statistics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; B.S. in economics and mathematics, University at Albany

One Page Bio

Overview

Jessie Riposo directs the Disaster Management & Resilience Program (DMR) within the RAND Homeland Security Research Division, and is a senior operations researcher at the RAND Corporation. She focuses on developing and maintaining the capabilities required to conduct research and analysis in support of disaster management. Prior to her current assignment, Riposo was the Associate Program Director for the Acquisition and Development Program within the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC), a federally funded research and development corporation managed within HSRD. There, she provided support to the Director in developing capabilities to provide research and analysis for DHS acquisition and technology programs. In her time at RAND, she has led a number of studies for the Department of the Navy, Department of the Air Force, Australian Ministry of Defence, U.K. Ministry of Defence, and the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Research Focus

Honors & Awards

Gordon Karp Award, Suny Albany
General Electric Faculty of the Future Fellowship, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Commentary

Earthquakes

Earthquake in Turkey, Syria: Insights from RAND Researchers
Thousands of people have been confirmed dead in one the strongest earthquakes to hit Turkey and Syria in the past century. As search-and-rescue missions ended and recovery began, a handful of RAND researchers shared some of their initial thoughts.
Feb 14, 2023
The RAND Blog
Public Health Preparedness

Toward 'Smarter' Federal Funding of Public Health Emergencies
The next public health emergency or large-scale disaster may be looming. It may be time to rethink the way federal relief funds are sought and allocated so that aid is more rapidly, accurately, and fairly distributed to hospitals and health systems. This could help ensure patients and communities get the care when and where they need it when crisis hits.
Dec 20, 2022
United Press International
Emergency Preparedness

The Disaster Bills Coming Due
The United States largely waits for a disaster to strike and then spends billions to repair damages. Investing in resilience today can significantly reduce the costs to recover after a disaster strikes.
Sep 20, 2022
Santa Monica Daily Press

Publications

Multimedia
Climate Change and Implications for Disasters in the United States: Examples from the Arctic, Caribbean, Northeast, and Gulf States
Climate change is contributing to more frequent and more severe disasters. Researchers examine disaster risk from climate change to the Arctic, the Caribbean, the Northeast, and the Gulf states.
Jun 10, 2022
Report
Naval Aviation Maintenance System: Analysis of Alternatives
This report presents the results of an analysis of alternatives for fielding the Naval Aviation Maintenance System, which is intended to help modernize the U.S. Navy's afloat and ashore maintenance capabilities.
Mar 9, 2020
Report
Naval Operational Supply System: Analysis of Alternatives
The Department of the Navy asked the RAND Corporation to assist with the Analysis of Alternatives for modernization of its future operational supply, food service, and retail operations capability, the Naval Operational Supply System.
Oct 11, 2018
Report
Issues with Access to Acquisition Data and Information in the Department of Defense: Considerations for Implementing the Controlled Unclassified Information Reform Program
This report provides a closer look at the current state of the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) program as well as how the new CUI rules might affect DoD acquisition data management.
Jan 24, 2018
Report
A Strategic Assessment of the Future of U.S. Navy Ship Maintenance: Challenges and Opportunities
This report assesses possible supply and demand capabilities in the ship maintenance workload for the U.S. Navy and notes long-term challenges facing mitigation efforts.
Sep 18, 2017
Report
Current and Future Challenges to Resourcing U.S. Navy Public Shipyards
To better understand recent trends at U.S. Navy public shipyards, RAND researchers explore how shipyard work is changing, whether more personnel are now required to perform it, and what risks shipyards may wish to address through additional hiring.
May 2, 2017
Report
Issues with Access to Acquisition Data and Information in the Department of Defense: A Closer Look at the Origins and Implementation of Controlled Unclassified Information Labels and Security Policy
The authors evaluated current Controlled Unclassified Information labeling procedures, practices, and security policies for U.S. Department of Defense acquisition data and recommend improvements.
Dec 19, 2016
Report
Leveraging the Past to Prepare for the Future of Air Force Intelligence Analysis
This report describes steps the U.S. Air Force can take to help ensure that it has the capability needed to provide intelligence analysis support to a broad range of service and combatant commander needs.
Apr 27, 2016
Report
Issues with Access to Acquisition Data and Information in the Department of Defense: Executive Summary
This report identifies the problems and challenges associated with sharing unclassified information within the U.S. Department of Defense and investigates the role of policies and practices associated with such sharing.
Jun 12, 2015
Report
Issues with Access to Acquisition Data and Information in the Department of Defense: Policy and Practice
This report identifies the problems and challenges associated with sharing unclassified information within the U.S. Department of Defense and investigates the role of policies and practices associated with such sharing.
Jun 12, 2015
Report
Prolonged Cycle Times and Schedule Growth in Defense Acquisition: A Literature Review
This report summarizes a selection of the defense acquisition literature from the 1960s to the present on potential sources of prolonged acquisition cycle times and schedule growth, as well as potential opportunities for improvement.
Apr 30, 2014
Journal Article
Strengthening the Shipbuilding Industry
To prevent atrophy in a fiscally challenged environment, the U.S. Navy and ship manufacturers will need to adopt a set of broad management strategies.
Dec 1, 2013
Report
Improving Air Force Enterprise Resource Planning-Enabled Business Transformation
RAND Project AIR FORCE identified key conditions to aid the success of business transformation enabled by enterprise resource planning systems, challenges the Air Force must address to achieve them, and options for overcoming these challenges.
Oct 25, 2013
Report
CANES Contracting Strategies for Full Deployment
Examines contracting alternatives for the full deployment phase of the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services system, intended to give the U.S. Navy a common set of key command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence networks.
May 24, 2012
Research Brief
Australia's Domestic Submarine Design Capabilities: Options for the Future Submarine
To design a new naval submarine domestically, Australia's industry and Government will need about 1,000 skilled draftsmen and engineers. Cultivating this workforce could take 15-20 years; partnering with foreign designers could expedite the process.
Dec 22, 2011
Report
Australia's Submarine Design Capabilities and Capacities: Challenges and Options for the Future Submarine
Assesses the domestic engineering and design skills that Australian industry and government will need to design a new submarine, identifies the skills they currently possess, and evaluates how best to fill any gaps between the two.
Dec 15, 2011
Report
Are Ships Different? Policies and Procedures for the Acquisition of Ship Programs
The policies and procedures established by the Department of Defense for program management and oversight can be tailored to meet the unique needs of ship acquisition programs without compromising oversight.
Nov 3, 2011
Report
A Methodology for Implementing the Department of Defense's Current In-Sourcing Policy
The authors review the recent history of sourcing in the Department of Defense, assess relevant laws and policies, offer interpretations of key terms, and describe an approach to implementing current in-sourcing guidance.
Sep 8, 2011
Research Brief
Alternatives for the Maritime Prepositioning Force (Future)
An assessment of the proposed MPF(F) Sea Basing squadron found alternative configurations with fewer ships and different air components that could still meet mission support counterinsurgency, special operations, and major combat operations.
May 13, 2010
Report
Maritime Prepositioning Force (Future) Capability Assessment: Planned and Alternative Structures
An assessment of the proposed MPF(F) Sea Basing squadron found alternative configurations with fewer ships and different air components that could still meet mission support counterinsurgency, special operations, and major combat operations.
May 11, 2010
Periodical
RAND Review: Vol. 33, No. 1, Spring 2009
Feature stories discuss government cost controls, health information technology, and negotiations with Iran; other stories discuss climate change, soft power, charter schools, meth use, Hispanic enlistments, Mumbai terrorism, and Jeremy Azrael.
Apr 27, 2009
Report
Navy Enterprises: Evaluating Their Role in Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE)
An evaluation of and assessment of alternatives for the participation of Navy Enterprise organizations in the Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) system.
Mar 19, 2009
Report
U.S. Navy Shipyards: An Evaluation of Workload- and Workforce-Management Practices
RAND examines how best to manage the multibillion-dollar annual workload of public shipyards, including alternative workload allocations, options to decrease overtime levels and hedge against workload growth, and other potential U.S. Navy strategies.
Dec 8, 2008
Report
Warfighting and Logistic Support of Joint Forces from the Joint Sea Base
Analyzes the feasibility of sustaining a Marine Corps ground element ashore and simultaneously sustaining Army elements ashore from a sea base or moving Army elements ashore from the sea base in a reasonable period.
Sep 4, 2007
Report
Sustaining U.S. Nuclear Submarine Design Capabilities
Given a lack of demand for nuclear submarine design resources in the near future, workforce and workload management options are analyzed to suggest ways to constrain the cost, schedule, and risk involved in the design of the next submarine class.
May 1, 2007
Research Brief
Sustaining the Ability to Design Nuclear Submarines
This research brief summarizes an analysis of workforce and workload management options to suggest ways to constrain the cost, schedule, and risk involved in the design of the U.S. Navy's next nuclear submarine class.
Apr 25, 2007
Report
Sustaining U.S. Nuclear Submarine Design Capabilities: Executive Summary
Given a lack of demand for nuclear submarine design resources in the near future, workforce and workload management options are analyzed to suggest ways to constrain the cost, schedule, and risk involved in the design of the next submarine class.
Apr 18, 2007
Report
Impacts of the Fleet Response Plan on Surface Combatant Maintenance
Looks at the challenges of meeting maintenance needs and coordinating industry resources effectively under the Navy's recently implemented Fleet Response Plan.
May 17, 2006
Research Brief
Can Under Way Training Be Reduced? The Use of Simulation for Training in the U.S. Navy Surface Force
RAND assessed policies governing the use of simulation in surface force training and analyzed training practices with a view toward determining whether it would be feasible to increase the use of live simulation or virtual, shore-based simulation.
Nov 25, 2005
Research Brief
Building Ships On Time: How Can the Defence Procurement Agency More Accurately Monitor Progress?
UK military shipbuilding experiences considerable schedule slippage. To assess the reasons for this and means to improve it, RAND researchers surveyed major shipbuilders, reviewed relevant literature, and identified the primary causes of production d...
Nov 25, 2005
Research Brief
Can the United Kingdom Rebuild Its Naval Fleet? Challenges and Opportunities for the UK Shipbuilding Industrial Base, 2005–2020
The United Kingdom faces numerous challenges in producing warships from now through 2020, including developing a sufficiently sized and skilled workforce, updating facilities, and maintaining viable producers. To address these challenges, the UK Mini...
Nov 25, 2005
Research Brief
Reducing the Cost of Aircraft Carrier Acquisition
The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence is designing its next class of aircraft carriers. At the ministry's request, RAND presented several cost-saving tools and measures.
Nov 25, 2005
Report
The United Kingdom’s Nuclear Submarine Industrial Base, Volume 1: Sustaining Design and Production Resources
Recommends strategies to efficiently sustain and operate the United Kingdom's submarine industrial base.
Aug 30, 2005
Report
The United Kingdom’s Naval Shipbuilding Industrial Base: The Next Fifteen Years
Assesses whether shipyards, other naval firms, and suppliers in the United Kingdom have sufficient capacity to meet the demands of the Ministry of Defence's planned naval acquisition programme over the next 15 years.
Jun 20, 2005
Report
Monitoring the Progress of Shipbuilding Programmes: How Can the Defence Procurement Agency More Accurately Monitor Progress?
Explores the reasons for and ways to anticipate schedule delays in shipbuilding programmes.
Jun 15, 2005
Report
Options for Reducing Costs in the United Kingdom’s Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) Programme
Examines ways in which the UK Ministry of Defence can reduce the whole-life costs and manpower requirements of the Royal Navy's two Future Aircraft Carriers (CVFs).
May 6, 2005
Report
A Preliminary Investigation of Ship Acquisition Options for Joint Forcible Entry Operations
Describes the global environment in which joint forcible entry operations might occur and the role of naval power in that environment.
Mar 22, 2005
Report
Use of Simulation for Training in the U.S. Navy Surface Force
Examines current and prospective use of simulation in training for U.S. Navy Ships.
2003