Sean Kirkpatrick

Senior Advisor

Former Deputy Director of Intelligence and DNI Representative to U.S. Space Command

Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick brings nearly three decades of experience and expertise in scientific and technical intelligence (S&TI), S&TI and space policy, research and development, acquisitions, and operations with a specialization in space/counterspace mission areas.

Prior to his retirement from government service in December of 2023, he served as the Director of the Defense Department's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and reported to the Deputy Secretary of Defense.

Sean, a native of Georgia, grew up in the Atlanta area where he attended the University of Georgia as an undergraduate, to study physics. Sean finished his Ph.D. work in nonlinear and nonequilibrium phonon dynamics of rare earth doped fluoride crystals also at the University of Georgia and is currently an adjunct professor at UGA.

Sean served in a variety of sensitive space and S&T roles across the Naval Research Lab, Air Force Research Lab, National Reconnaissance Office, CIA, DIA and OSD. He entered Senior Service as the Defense Intelligence Officer for Scientific and Technical Intelligence, serving as the Department of Defense's counterpart to the National Intelligence Manager for Science and Technology and developing the first integrated Scientific and Technical Intelligence Strategy for the Department.

Sean served in a variety of high-profile and no-fail roles including special assignment to the Principal Deputy Director National Intelligence leading the Intelligence Community's support to the Joint Interagency Combined Space Operations Center (now the National Space Defense Center, NSDC); Deputy Director of Intelligence, US Strategic Command; Director, National Security Strategy, National Security Council; Deputy Director of Intelligence and the DNI Representative for USSPACECOM. He served as either the IC or DoD lead in establishing six "new-start" organizations including the USSPACECOM Intelligence Enterprise and AARO.

Sean is the recipient of several scientific, military and intelligence awards. These include the Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the National Intelligence Exceptional Achievement Medal, four National Intelligence Collaboration medallions, the NRO Innovation and Achievement Award, the Cleary Award for Scientific Excellence, and the DIA Director's Award for Excellence. Sean holds 2 open patents and has contributed to several scientific books on nonlinear phenomena as well as written multiple integrated strategies for the National and Defense Intelligence Communities. He was appointed to the Senior Service in 2012.