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Christopher Scolese

Director, National Reconnaissance Office, National Reconnaissance Office · United States

✓ Verified current role· as of 2026-09-19

Christopher Scolese is the CEO of National Reconnaissance Office. Scolese is based in the United States. Scolese was born in 1956 in Buffalo and educated at George Washington University and University at Buffalo.

Christopher Scolese is an American engineer and intelligence official who became the 19th Director of the National Reconnaissance Office in August 2019, and the first to be presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed. He began his career as a U.S. Naval Officer in 1978 supporting naval nuclear propulsion programs, then spent 32 years at NASA in various roles including Director of Goddard Space Flight Center and Acting NASA Administrator.

Recent developments

AI summary of recent coverage

Recent coverage has focused on Christopher Scolese's transition out of the National Reconnaissance Office directorship, with reports indicating his emphasis on talent management during the leadership change as the administration announced a successor from the defense industry. Earlier coverage throughout Scolese's tenure highlighted his priorities around artificial intelligence adoption for satellite management, emerging space warfare concerns, and modernization of the agency's imaging and acquisition capabilities.

Summarized from the headlines below; see each source for the full story.

Born
July 21, 1956 · Buffalo
Citizenship
United States
Education
George Washington University, University at Buffalo
Awards
NASA Distinguished Service Medal

Our coverage

On CEOInsider

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Christopher Scolese: FAQ

Who is Christopher Scolese?
Christopher Scolese is the Director, National Reconnaissance Office of National Reconnaissance Office, based in United States.
What company does Christopher Scolese lead?
Christopher Scolese is CEO of National Reconnaissance Office.
Where was Christopher Scolese educated?
Christopher Scolese studied at George Washington University, University at Buffalo.