James Kennedy
Chief Security Officer, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
With over 37 years’ experience in industrial security, James Kennedy leads the strategy and operations for the MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s security program.
Kennedy joins the laboratory after holding key leadership roles in Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and L3 Harris with a strategic focus toward enabling foundational areas: finding greater efficiencies and reducing overhead processes, and enhancing the laboratory’s classified facilities and infrastructure.
Kennedy emerged as the clear choice in the nationwide search for a CSO, said C. Scott Anderson, assistant director and chief operating officer.
“His career has been filled with significant impactful achievements, but it was his demonstrated leadership, and ability to effectively communicate and work with a broad spectrum of people that made our decision,” Anderson said. “Although joining MIT just weeks ago, his enthusiasm for the national security mission, strong belief in empowerment, and willingness to embrace change has quickly put the laboratory on the right track for the future.”
Why Watch
“Looking ahead to 2022, I’m excited to guide this team towards designing and developing security products, services and solutions through business transformation and innovation,” Kennedy said. “The Security Services Department holds great potential to enable the laboratory’s evolving mission areas and programs.”
These efforts will entail integrated talent management strategies to ensure security organizational goals and objectives reflect those of the laboratory’s long-term vision as well as innovation and thought leadership to create a more streamlined, efficient and effective industrial security program, he said.