HERNDON, Va.- Peraton has named former U.S. Air Force Assistant Secretary for Space and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Director Jeffrey K. Harris to its Advisory Board.
Harris has had a long and distinguished career spanning over 40 years in the space industry. He served as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space and the Director of the NRO from 1994-1996. While at the NRO he was credited with managing the integration of NRO programs into three functional directorates and leading efforts to consolidate signals intelligence systems in a first-of-its kind partnership between the NRO and the National Security Agency.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jeff over the past 25 years in a variety of roles and have been consistently impressed by his deep understanding of our nation’s critical intelligence needs, and how he has fostered new technologies, programs and capabilities that have contributed significantly to U.S. national security capabilities,” said Stu Shea, Peraton president and CEO. “Jeff’s strategic counsel will be invaluable as we continue to expand our mission partnerships in the space, intelligence, and cyber markets.”
He currently serves as the chairman of D-Wave Government, a leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems and software, and previously served as president, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space, and president, Lockheed Martin Special Programs. Prior to his roles at Lockheed Martin, he was president of Space Imaging, the first company to commercially provide high-resolution satellite imagery and information products of the earth. Jeff also served as the associate executive director of the Intelligence Community Management Staff.
Harris earned a bachelor’s degree in photographic science and instrumentation from the Rochester Institute of Technology and is a vice chair of their board of trustees. In addition to chairing the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF), he chairs the Open Spatial Consortium (OGC) and is a member of the United States Energy Security Council and serves on the Commander STRATCOM Strategic Advisory Group. Harris also serves on a number of corporate boards.
A decorated public servant, he is the recipient of the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the CIA Distinguished Service Medal, the NRO Medal for Distinguished Service, the USGIF Lifetime Achievement Award, the NDIA’s Peter B. Teets Space Industry Achievement Award, and the James V. Hartinger Award for military space achievement.
Comprised of a group of proven government and industry technology experts, Peraton formed its Advisory Board in November 2017 to advise the company on its strategic direction. To learn more about Peraton, visit: www.peraton.com
About Peraton
Peraton provides innovative, reliable solutions to the nation’s most sensitive and mission-critical programs and systems. As a trusted provider of highly differentiated space, intelligence, cyber/SIGINT, defense, electronic warfare, homeland security, and secure communications capabilities, Peraton is a critical partner to the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, and select federal agencies and commercial entities. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the company employs approximately 3,500 people across the U.S. and Canada.
