Stacey Dixon to be next director of IARPA

On August 14, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats announced the selection of Dr. Stacey Dixon to be the next director of the Intelligence Advance Research Projects Activity.

“Stacey brings extraordinary knowledge and experience to the position and I’m certain that she will maintain IARPA’s high bar for technical excellence and relevance to intelligence priorities,” said Coats. “I look forward her continued work in delivering breakthrough capabilities to partners throughout the national security community.”

For over 15 years, Dr. Dixon has served in key science and technology positions within the intelligence community, tackling some of its hardest technical challenges. From 2003 to 2007, she worked on advanced satellite systems for the Central Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Science and Technology, while assigned to the National Reconnaissance Office, Advanced Systems and Technology Directorate. From 2007 to 2010 she worked on the U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence staff, after which she served as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Chief of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. In 2013 she joined NGA’s Research directorate, first to lead the Office of Information Integration, and later as Deputy Director of the directorate. Dr. Dixon became IARPA’s Deputy Director in January 2016, and has co-led the organizations through a period of dramatic growth.

Dr. Dixon holds doctoral and masters’ degrees in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. She was a chemical engineering postdoctoral fellow at the University of Minnesota.

Director Coats also acknowledged the service of Dr. Jason Matheny, who is departing at the end of his designated term after leading IARPA for the past three years. “I want to thank Jason for his visionary leadership and successful efforts enhancing IARPA’s outreach within the intelligence community and raising its public profile. He has forged a strong legacy and should be proud of his valuable contributions.”

Source: ODNI