Luke Collin is a Principal at The Asia Group (TAG), where he focuses on the firm’s defense and national security portfolio. Drawing on over 20 years of experience in the U.S. Government, Luke provides clients with strategic analysis and political insights across the Indo-Pacific region to identify and advance business development opportunities, expand market access, and implement government engagement strategies and campaign plans.
Prior to joining TAG, Luke served as the Director for Japan and Australia at the U.S. National Security Council (NSC), where he advised the President and the National Security Advisor and spearheaded interagency efforts to strengthen bilateral and multilateral defense, economic, technology, and diplomatic cooperation with two of the United States’ closest Indo-Pacific allies. During his time at the NSC, Luke orchestrated two State Visits for the leaders of Australia and Japan, respectively, and played an instrumental role in supporting the historic Camp David Trilateral Summit with the leaders of the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea in August 2023.
Prior to his NSC assignment, Luke served as the Director for Japan Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), where he led a team of five experts in managing the U.S.-Japan Alliance and promoting closer bilateral defense cooperation between the U.S. military and the Japan Self-Defense Forces. During his 15-year career in OSD, Luke served in various capacities focused on Asian security issues and U.S. allies and partners, including as the Deputy Director for Southeast Asia, where he covered South China Sea issues and led efforts to build a strategic partnership with Vietnam; as the Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs (IPSA); and as a Japan Country Director, where he focused on force posture and ballistic missile defense issues.
From 2003-2007, Luke served in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer, where he completed a deployment to the Western Pacific aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89). During his naval service, Luke completed a one-year tour of duty with a U.S. Army Military Intelligence Battalion in Iraq, where he served as an Electronic Warfare Officer responsible for the operations, training, and maintenance of vehicle jamming systems intended to neutralize remote-detonated improvised explosive devices.
Luke received his BA from Cornell University and an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins SAIS. He is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the State Department Superior Honor Award, the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award (three times). Luke is married with three children (all boys!) and enjoys skiing, sailing, and hiking.