NCF GMM Recaps

Michael Bennett currently serves as the Senior Executive for Intelligence Workforce Enterprise Programs and Chief of the Enterprise Management Group (EMG) within the Intelligence Community Human Capital Office (IC HC) at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). In this position he leads the execution of key human capital modernization efforts that directly support the National Security Strategy, National Intelligence Strategy, and IC Human Capital strategies and polices across the Intelligence Community.

Michael assumed this role in January 2023 after completing a Joint Duty Assignment (JDA) with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) where he served as the Deputy Director of the Current and Emerging Threats Center (CETC). At CETC he led the day to day operations of the Open Source Collections Operations Branch, the 24/7 Intelligence Indication and Warning Watch Center, and Intelligence Support Branch overseeing intelligence support to multiple high profile emerging events domestically and abroad in 2022. Prior to the JDA, Michael served as the Director and Senior Program Manager for the Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence Program (IC CAE) leading his team and 85 IC CAE colleges and universities through the challenges of the global pandemic.

Michael retired from military service in 2019 after nearly 30 years in the United States Coast Guard before joining ODNI. His leadership roles included Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché to Haiti (2016 – 2019); Chief Operating Officer/Executive Officer of the Coast Guard Intelligence Coordination Center (ICC) in Washington, D.C. (2014 – 2016); dual hatted as Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Cryptologic Unit Hawaii and National Security Agency (NSA) Hawaii Chief of Signals Intelligence Directorate Operations (2011 -2014); and Commander of the Coast Guard RAID team serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan (2009- 2011). He was an NSA/CSS Director’s Fellow and USCG Research Fellow for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Center for Intelligence Research and is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Department of State Meritorious Honor Award, and the Department of State Benjamin Franklin Award.

Michael is the recipient of the 2016 Foundation for Coast Guard History (FCGH) Individual Achievement Award for his research and writing on Coast Guard Intelligence in World War II. Guardian Spies: The Secret Story of Coast Guard Intelligence in WWII brought to light the formerly Secret relationship between the OSS and USCG; the history of CG Enigma code breaking in partnership with Bletchley Park; and Coast Guard domestic intelligence collection to prevent espionage and sabotage operations in U.S. ports across the United States during World War II.

Additional assignments include Director and Associate Professor of the Strategic Intelligence Studies Program at the Coast Guard Academy (2004-2009); and Senior Intelligence Officer and Senior Counter Terrorism Analyst at the Coast Guard Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center Pacific (MIFCPAC/2003-2005).

Michael holds a Master of Science degree in Strategic Intelligence Studies and a graduate certificate in Chinese Intelligence Studies from National Intelligence University as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Environmental Science from Webster University. He is completing a second Master’s Degree at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in International Affairs.

Michael is a 5th generation St. Louisan and is a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, Imo’s Pizza Fan, and Ted Drew’s fan!