John Lewis

Central Intelligence Agency - Senior Intelligence Service Expert & CIA Trailblazer

Over 34 years as a CIA Technical Intelligence Officer, serving in Technical Operations, Technical Research, Development & Engineering and Technical Leadership roles. Career included service in the Directorate of Science & Technology (DS&T), The Directorate of Digital Innovation (DDI) and the Directorate of Operations (DO) with overseas assignments in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and conflict zones. Member of the CIA Directorate of Science & Technology Senior Technical Service.  Recipient of the CIA Career Intelligence Medal and recognized as one of the CIA Trailblazers and awarded the CIA Trailblazer Medal.

Deputy Director & Chief Technical Officer, CIA Research Labs, 2020-2023

Responsible for the establishment and initial implementation of CIA Research Labs, the CIA Federal Laboratory, to develop and enable the execution of new mechanisms, authorities and activities to modernize how the CIA approaches research. Responsible for strategic technical leadership for CIA Research Labs, (CIA Labs), and development of strategies for research prioritization, execution and implementation, to include development of pilots for topic-based Innovation Accelerator Centers. Identified research topics and areas of focus in conjunction with CIA mission components, and Intelligence Community partners, to develop, shape and guide the CIA Research Labs portfolio. Facilitated and executed strategies for research partnerships and relationships with industry, academia, Federal Laboratories, National Laboratories and other Government partners to support and enable research collaboration and associated activities. Assisted with the initial development of the Intellectual Property Management Program for the CIA to enable the ability to protect and leverage the Intellectual Property of the CIA and its Officers. Actively assisted with implementation of STEM outreach and Technical Talent Recruitment activities for the CIA.

Deputy Department Chief, Directorate of Science & Technology, Office of Research, Engagement & Data Exploitation, 2020-2021

Served as the Deputy Chief of a Department within the Research, Engagement and Data Exploitation Office that is responsible for research, engagement and innovation activities with

Academia, National Labs, Federal Labs, industry and other internal and external research partners.  Responsible for helping to stand up this new entity and assisting with the establishment of the new office.   Worked to establish organizational structure, staffing requirements, resource and budget planning, overall vision for execution of engagement and research strategy, and establishment of initial implementation. Concurrently served as the Deputy Director of CIA Labs during this period and worked to align with CIA Labs structures and capabilities.

Senior Scientist, Directorate of Science & Technology, Global Reach Office, 2018-2020

Served as the Senior Scientist for the Global Reach Office within the Directorate of Science & Technology (DS&T).  Responsible for technical leadership, oversight and strategic planning of Research, Development & Engineering activities in support of the DS&T Global Reach Office and the CIA Mission.  Managed and participated in formal Red Team and Peer Review activities to review and advise ongoing technical development efforts.  Served as the technical leader for the Global Reach Office and oversaw the research projects and personnel.  Served as the CIA Senior Academic Liaison Officer for multiple academic institutions with a focus on the development of research partnerships.   Responsible for professional development and career planning for Officers and technical developers across the Office.

Chief of Science & Technology, Directorate of Operations, 2016-2018

Responsible for oversight and coordination of Science & Technology activities within a Division of the Directorate of Operations.  Managed the de-confliction and prioritization of engagements and relationships with industry and academic partners.  Responsible for developing and implementing policies and practices to govern Science & Technology engagements and activities in support of mission requirements.

Deputy Chief of Station, Directorate of Operations, 2013-2016

Served as the Deputy Chief of a Directorate of Operations Station with an emphasis on management, planning and oversight of Technical Operations activities and engagements.  Led the Intelligence Community HUMINT working group and coordinated activities across the member organizations.  Actively developed and managed relationships with Government, industry and academic partners to enable technology-focused partnerships.  Responsible for professional development of Officers serving in Station.

Senior Technical Operations Officer, Directorate of Operations, Latin America Division, 2009-2013

Served as the CIA lead for regional Technical Operations activities in a Directorate of Operations Station in Latin America.  Responsible for planning, coordination and execution of activities within a regional area of responsibility.  Managed relationships and joint activities with partners across the spectrum of the operational environment to enable and execute Technical Operations.

Senior Program Manager & Technical Developer, Directorate of Science & Technology, Office of Technical Collection, 2006-2009

Responsible for developing strategic plans, concepts of operation and Research & Development proposals for tactical and strategic Tracking & Locating capabilities.  Led complex technical Research & Development efforts with industry, academic, National Lab and Government partners, largely focused on RF systems.  Managed production and field deployment activities of the capabilities and systems resulting from Research & Development efforts.   Delivered impactful capabilities for Tracking & Locating and RF MASINT that enabled mission success for the CIA, Intelligence Community and other mission partners.

Senior Program Manager & Technical Developer, Information Operations Center, 1999-2006

Responsible for developing strategic plans, concepts of operation and capabilities development proposals for Information Operations (IO) capabilities in support of the Information Operations Center mission.  Led complex technical R&D, production and deployment efforts for hardware and software IO tools and capabilities with industry, academic, National Lab and Government partners.  Delivered impactful capabilities for Information Operations and RF MASINT that enabled mission success for the CIA, Intelligence Community and other mission partners.

Technical Operations Officer - Operational Engineer, Directorate of Science & Technology, Office of Technical Services, 1990-1999

Responsible for quick reaction, hands-on, engineering activities for development of novel, one-of-a-kind solutions for rapid response requirements to enable CIA mission.  Performed hands-on design, engineering, fabrication, testing and deployment of systems and capabilities with an emphasis on microprocessor design, antenna design, circuit design, RF Systems, User Interfaces and complex device integration activities in support of CIA mission activities.  Delivered impactful capabilities across the CIA and DS&T mission space.  Service included assignments in the foreign field.

Language:   Spanish – Level 3