President Donald J. Trump has announced his intent to nominate Ellen McCarthy to the key position of assistant secretary of state for intelligence and research in his administration.
McCarthy has been president of Noblis NSP since 2016. She has experience in the intelligence community including service as the chief operating officer of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency from 2013 to 2016.
Before joining NGA, McCarthy served as president of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance from 2009 to 2013. She was also director of the human capital management office from 2005 to 2009 and the acting director of security within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence from 2003 to 2005. McCarthy also served as the Director of Intelligence Operations, Strategy and Policy for the United States Coast Guard from 1998 to 2003 and an intelligence research specialist for the U.S. Atlantic Command from 1991 to 1998.
McCarthy earned a B.A. from the University of South Carolina, and she holds a Master’s Degree in public policy from the University of Maryland. She is the recipient of a Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, a National Intelligence Superior Service Medal, and a Presidential Rank Award, Meritorious.
WashingtonExec named Ellen McCarthy to WashingtonExec’s “Inaugural Top 30 Execs to Watch List Spotlight” in 2016.