Matt Cummings

Senior Advisor for MASINT, GEOINT, and Special Programs at Office of the Secretary of Defense

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Mr. Matthew C. Cummings is the Senior Advisor for MASINT, GEOINT, and Special Programs within the Directorate for Defense Intelligence Technical Collection and Special Programs, Office of the Under Secretaty of Defense for Intelligence. He is responsible for providing oversight and direction to the defense intelligence enterprise regarding investment, development and utilization of MASINT and GEOINT capabilities. He assumed this position on 1 May, 2017.

Mr. Cummings grew up in Memphis, Tennessee where he received both a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics from the University of Memphis. He attended graduate school at Georgetown University, receiving a Master of Arts in National Security Studies, and at Johns Hopkins University, receiving both a Master of Science in Systems Engineering and a Master of Science in Applied Physics. Prior to defense sector and government employment, Mr. Cummings worked for eight years developing oil and gas projects in Central Asia and commercialbased MASINT systems for the detection of explosives and drugs.

From 2000 - 2005, Mr. Cummings supported acquisition reform efforts for OSD, as well as provided space systems engineering and analytical support to both the DoD Space Test Program and the DoD Space Experiments Review Board. In 2005, Mr. Cummings joined the Defense Intelligence Agency where he served in the Science and Technology Directorate as the Deputy Office Chief for Development and Engineering, the Senior MASINT Liaison Officer to the United Kingdom, and the Deputy Office Chief for Plans and Operations. In 2012, Mr. Cummings was selected to attend the National War College as part of the Defense Senior Leadership Development Program, and graduated with a Master of Science in National Security Strategy in June 2013. Following senior service school, Mr. Cummings served a joint duty assignment with the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Space Policy Office, where he led efforts to improve space situational awareness, space debris mitigation, and the resiliency of the United States space architecture. Upon his return to DIA in 2014, Mr. Cummings served as the Chief of Strategic Engagement, Office of Partner Engagement, where he led negotiations with foreign partners, oversaw foreign disclosure policy, and managed foreign liaison and exchange officer activities.

Mr. Cummings has been awarded the DoD Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award, October 2011; the Defense Intelligence Agency Award for Meritorious Civilian Service, December 2008; the DoD Global War on Terrorism Award, March 2012; and the Non-Article 5 NATO Medal, November 2011.

Mr. Cummings lives in Fairfax Station, Virginia, with his wife Melanie; their son, Duncan; and
daughter, Quinn.

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