Jeffrey King Harris[2] (born June 28, 1953)[3] is an American aerospace executive who served as 11th director of the National Reconnaissance Office from 1994 to 1996. Currently, he chair of the RIT Board of Trustees.[4]
Jeffrey K. Harris | |
---|---|
11th Director of the National Reconnaissance Office | |
In office May 19, 1994[1] – February 26, 1996 | |
President | Bill Clinton |
Preceded by | Martin C. Faga |
Succeeded by | Keith R. Hall |
Personal details | |
Born | White Plains, New York, US | June 28, 1953
Alma mater | Rochester Institute of Technology |
Harris was born in White Plains, New York in 1953 and graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in 1971.[2] He attended from Rochester Institute of Technology,[5] earning an associate's degree in applied sciences in 1974 and a B.S. degree in photographic science and instrumentation in 1975. Harris then went to work for the Central Intelligence Agency.[2] In 1978, he transferred from the National Photographic Intelligence Center to The Office of Development and Engineering.
Mr. Harris managed the integration of NRO programs into three functional directorates. He was a member of the R. James Woolsey panel that studied the future of NRO systems. He was a major proponent and architect of consolidating signals intelligence systems in a new partnership with the National Security Agency. Mr. Harris directed the CORONA program declassification and established a public affairs program.[6]
Harris and deputy director Jimmie D. Hill were dismissed in 1996 after losing track of more than $2 billion in classified money. Harris was replaced by Keith Hall.[7]
Harris was named president of the Space Systems-Missiles & Space Operations division of Lockheed Martin in 2001.[8]
As of 2024, Harris serves on the advisory board of the National Security Space Association.[9]