David B. Lasher

My name is Brian Lasher. I am an Erie native and I am proud to be part of the Gannon faculty.

I am a retired social studies teacher from Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy. During my 23 years at the school, I taught multiple advanced placement courses, including AP Government & Politics, AP World History, AP European History and AP US History, as well as Honors Economics and International Relations. I also served as the school’s Model United Nations advisor.

While teaching at Collegiate Academy, I earned National Board for Professional Teaching Certification. I served as a consultant for AP World History preparation companies, I am currently an AP Reader for the College Board in American Government & Politics, and I served on a board that helped develop the Congressional Medal of Honor Curriculum, a nationally recognized program.

I am also a retired Navy commander, having served 28 years in the United States Navy and Naval Reserves. On active duty, I was a helicopter logistics pilot, deploying to the Persian Gulf, Mediterranean and North Atlantic. During my tenure in the Naval Reserves, I worked as a joint staff officer, and I had extensive experience in operations and strategic planning in the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia. Following the September 11 attacks, I was recalled to active duty at the European Command, the Chief of Naval Operations’ Crisis Action Team, and for Operation Iraqi Freedom, where I conducted strategic planning and briefings for senior military officers and interagency personnel.

I earned a bachelor’s degree in History and German from Allegheny College, and master’s degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School in National Security Affairs and from the Army War College in Strategic Studies. I also completed courses of study at the Naval War College, the National Defense University, and the Joint Forces Staff College, and I was one of the first Naval Reservists to be certified as a Joint Qualified Officer by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

I am married with five children, and I enjoy sailing, skiing, and traveling.