David "Don" Wisyanski
North Richland Hills,TX
Summary
Senior intelligence and strategy professional with experience supporting national defense planning, senior-leader briefings, and joint threat analysis. Known for translating complex Middle East and counterterrorism issues into clear recommendations that support policy, collection priorities, and interagency coordination. Able to develop curriculum, contribute research, and deliver expert practitioner teaching for Clements Center's Security Studies program.
Overview
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1
Language
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Certification
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Intelligence Analyst, Government Civilian
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Dallas, TX
08.2025 - 09.2026
- Served as lead analyst in Dallas Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) and intelligence facilitator between National Security Agency (NSA) and Drug Enforcement Administration.
- Performed and led research projects related to Mexican drug cartel oil theft and smuggling operations into United States. Among initial FBI contributors to body of analysis to this national security threat.
- Examined Middle Eastern nexus of Transnational Criminal Organizations such as Iranian and Hizballah alliances and money laundering activity in Arabian Gulf states.
Senior Strategic Planner, Government Civilian
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Washington DC
08.2024 - 07.2025
- Served in Intelligence Strategy, Plans, and Policy Directorate. Authored, orchestrated, and coordinated strategy document research and publication supporting National Defense Strategy and National Military Strategy focusing on Middle East and Indo-Pacific. Documents primary consumer was Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- Led project on refining intelligence collection needs of combatant commands toward synchronizing regional military campaign plans. Effort included Middle East wherein I employed knowledge of regional history, politics, and military affairs.
- Reviewed and recommended changes to Fiscal Year 2025 Joint Strategic Estimate, enhancing strategic alignment with national objectives.
- Contributed to refinement of threat definition policy at Pentagon Irregular Warfare Centers, clarifying Iran's activities in Western Hemisphere.
Senior National Security Intelligence Analyst, Government Civilian
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Dallas, TX
10.2010 - 07.2024
- Served as co-chair of South-Central Region Domestic Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Iraq Subgroup; led and coordinated ISIS-related analytic project briefed to and lauded by former DNI James Clapper.
- Researched interagency reporting and publications, publishing peer-reviewed analysis for Intelligence Community on Middle East and terrorism threats, enhancing strategic understanding.
- Advised an FBI official on Middle East cultural insights and regional threats during interagency operations with CIA and Department of Defense.
- Regular presenter at Joint Terrorism Task Force Executive Board and line member meetings providing information briefings or seminars ranging from Global Jihad to Shia Axis of Resistance threats.
- Delivered lectures on Middle East terrorism, culture, and foreign affairs to federal and local law enforcement officers for college credit, 2010-2018, fostering knowledge transfer across diverse venues.
Supervisory Intelligence Analyst, Government Civilian
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Dallas, TX
02.2008 - 09.2010
- Directed intelligence analysis in support of weekly counterterrorism update meetings for Special Agent-in-Charge dealing with Middle East, Afghanistan/Pakistan, North and East Africa.
- Provided oversight and guidance to subordinates, and directed and reviewed their intelligence analysis on national security, cyber, and transnational criminal threats. Delivered subject matter instruction in these areas as well as analytic tradecraft and completed cyclic evaluations of their performance and understanding.
- Conducted outreach and consultations with local, state, and national law enforcement partners on Middle East, international terrorism, and drug cartel threats, enhancing intelligence capacity building.
Senior Political-Military Analyst, Government Civilian
Defense Intelligence Agency
Washington DC
11.2006 - 01.2008
- Served as Senior Intelligence Officer for Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Middle East Division Levant Branch, reviewing intelligence analysis on geopolitical issues, military affairs, and support to terrorist groups to enhance strategic insights.
- This analysis informed Department of Defense (DOD) policymaker, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and combatant command strategic policy, and regional contingency and operational campaign planning.
- Contributed to National Intelligence Council (NIC) interagency Sense of Community Memorandum on Syria, shaping collaborative intelligence efforts and policy formulation.
- Orchestrated bi-lateral intelligence exchanges, setting agenda and advising partner nation officials; recognized by Israel's Director of Military Intelligence for executing the most effective exchange, which was replicated in subsequent conferences.
Policy Officer, Army Lieutenant Colonel
Office of Secretary of Defense
Washington DC
07.2005 - 08.2006
- Senior Army officer who oversaw preparations and provided recommendations to senior DOD policymakers on political, military, and economic matters of Iraq and Iran.
- Represented Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) in National Security Council interagency working groups providing policy input affecting international relations.
- Championed OSD position against proposed use of directed energy technology on Iraqi detainees, preventing potential law of war controversy.
- Managed staff initiatives for institutional capacity building and democracy promotion programs.
Political-Military Attache, Army Major
US Regional Embassy Office
Kirkuk
12.2004 - 06.2005
- US Army representative detailed to State Department as political-military officer at Regional Embassy Office, Kirkuk.
- Part of a diplomatic team hosted by Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party leader (later Iraqi President) Jalal Talibani for democracy implementation and security cooperation discussions.
- Consulted with officials of new Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police, and Kurdish security services regularly. Reported on their activities and intentions regarding civil rights amid ethno-sectarian tensions to US Embassy Baghdad and DIA.
- Performed liaison with US Army brigade relaying feedback from diplomats on impact of pacification efforts and capacity building projects toward progress on overall regional democracy building program.
- Cultivated relationship with Kirkuk Governor, facilitating his participation in monthly regional conferences to coordinate security and democratic transition.
- Facilitated release of a prominent Sunni Arab politician arrested under false pretenses. Addressed concerns of Sunni Arab tribal sheikhs regarding the conduct of Coalition military forces.
Middle East Senior Political-Military Analyst, Army Major
Defense Intelligence Agency
Washington DC
07.2002 - 05.2004
- Published peer-reviewed, and managed and reviewed other DIA Iraq Division pre-war analysis.
- Led effort and defended agency position in DIA's contribution to NIC Armed Sources of Instability in Iraq National Intelligence Estimate impacting joint, multinational, and US interagency planning and operations.
- Recognized as DIA's expert on Iraq's insurgency and security forces. Assessed emerging insurgency; defended original findings published in white paper to Director DIA.
- Prepared Ambassadors Paul Bremer, Walter Slocombe, and Darrell Trent for duty in Iraq through briefings and consultations on Iraqi military issues, security environment, and ethno-sectarian conflicts, directly informing security assistance policy and decision-making.
- Presented Iraqi Army reconstitution concept to Lt. Gen. Jay Garner and Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) members, directly influencing post-invasion occupation planning and enabling CPA's national institution reconstruction and democracy-building efforts.
Assistant Chief of Staff, Political-Military Operations, Army Major
1st Corps Support Command
Fort Bragg, NC
10.2000 - 07.2001
- Served on General Staff as primary staff officer for Political-Military and Civil-Military Operations, shaping strategies for military campaigns in Army Corps support unit.
- Oversaw contingency plans addressing political and civilian impacts on combat service support operations across Middle East, Indo-Pacific, and Latin America regions.
- Reviewed reports and briefings for command decisions and readiness tracking.
Middle East Foreign Area Officer, Army Captain
US Embassy-Amman
Amman
01.1998 - 12.1998
- Completed year-long work-study with Defense Attache Office, enhancing geopolitical, cultural, and linguistic expertise of Middle East-North Africa region.
- Engaged in UN Disengagement Observer Force tour in Golan Heights, deepening understanding of regional dynamics.
- West Bank travel and East Jerusalem visit enabled understanding of on-the-ground realities of Palestinian political-economic plights, need for democratic reforms, civic engagement, and ameliorating corruption.
- Analyzed operations of NGOs in Jordan and Palestinian territories, identifying challenges faced in Palestinian refugee camps.
- Traveled to ten Arab countries, Israel, and Palestinian National Authority.
Intelligence Detachment Commander, Army Captain
742d Military Intelligence Battalion
Draper, UT
06.1995 - 06.1997
- Oversaw Utah National Guard linguist translation operations to meet Army and NSA requirements across Middle East, Latin America, and Asia Pacific regions.
- Served as liaison between Regular Army and Army National Guard, coordinating use of National Guard linguists to enhance intelligence production for NSA, Combatant Command, and Army.
- Coordinated intelligence reporting with battalion leadership and supported units.
- Directed personnel readiness, discipline, and daily detachment administration.
Signals Intelligence Officer, Army Captain
742d Military Intelligence Battalion
Fort Meade, MD
09.1993 - 05.1995
- Army officer embedded within NSA; leveraged agency capabilities to satisfy Army Middle East, Latin America, and Asia Pacific region intelligence requirements.
- Oversaw signals intelligence support for Army Special Operations Forces, enhancing operational effectiveness in diverse deployments.
- Supervised language translation task force, delivering critical intelligence support for US peacekeeping operations in Haiti.
- Supervised language translation task force, facilitating effective intelligence support for US operations in Somalia.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma -
US Army Command and General Staff College
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas05-2002
M.A. - Middle Eastern Studies
University of Texas
Austin, Texas08-2000
B.A. - Journalism
University of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, Texas08-1988
Skills
- Mentoring: Sought out by younger employees in the workplace for administrative guidance and vocational advice even if not under my supervision I find fulfillment in guiding young people in their career pursuits and in solving life challenges
- Collegiality: Engage well with colleagues and believe in a collaborative rather than a competitive work environment Such cohesion advances organizational goals and collective professional growth
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- Intelligence Community Adjunct Instructor: Ethics for Intelligence Analysts 2020-2023
- Middle East terrorism and foreign affairs lectures to law enforcement officers for Texas Commission on Law Enforcement college credit 2010-2018
- Arab-Israel Conflict Guest Lecturer, University of Nebraska-Omaha 2002
Certification
- Ethics Instructor, Federal Bureau of Investigation 2020, Counterterrorism Instructor, Federal Bureau of Investigation 2019, Intelligence Desk Analyst, Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet) 2016, Analytic Methodologist, Federal Bureau of Investigation 2012, Military Attache, Defense Intelligence Agency 2004, Master Strategist, US Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) 2002, Basic and Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic, Defense Language Institute 1982, 1986
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Intelligence Community Advanced Analyst Program Award for Teaching Excellence 2023, National Intelligence Council Medallion for National Intelligence Estimate contributions 2004, Honorable Mention MacArthur Leadership Writing Contest, US Army CGSC 2002, George C. Marshall Award, Army ROTC, University of Texas at Arlington 1988
PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCES
- Monthly North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force meetings wherein I presented culture and terrorism topics at least twice annually, 2008-2023
- Israel's Statehood and The Palestinian Nakba 75th Anniversary presentation to University of Montana Defense Critical Language and Culture Program faculty 2023
- Global Jihad threat to military installation presentation provided to respective Goodfellow and Sheppard Air Force Base commanders and staffs 2022
- Saudi country and tribal culture presentation to Sheppard Air Force Base foreign student English as Second Language instructors 2022
- JTTTF Executive Board presentation on Iran, Hizballah, and proxy threats 2020
- Private sector executive outreach presentation to American Airlines 2018
- Private sector executive outreach presentation to Southwest Airlines 2018
- Led and provided presentations during seven intelligence exchange conferences with European and Middle Eastern allied nation counterparts circa 2002-2007
- Turkish Ministry of Defense Summit on Iraq conflict; provided presentation on Iraqi Military and Kurdish Forces, Ankara, Turkey 2005
- Attended four Northern Iraq Regional Governors Conferences as Kirkuk Governors official escort, addressing democracy and security issues, Tikrit, Iraq 2005
- Presentation to Turkish Special Forces Brigade Commander on PKK terrorist group, Silopi, Turkey 2005
- Briefed US House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence about Mujahideen El-Khalq separatist organization and delisting as terrorist group, US Capitol building 2003
- Reconstitution of Iraqi Army post-Saddam presentation to Coalition Provisional Authority, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida 2003
- Two presentations in Arabic, Royal Jordanian Artillery School, Zarqa, Jordan 1998
- HSTF Analysis: Drug Cartel Adaptations to NORTHCOM Border Security 2026
- FBI Analysis: Shift in Global Jihad Threat; Implications to Military Installation Security 2021
- FBI Analysis: ISIS threats to South-Central United States 2016
- US Global Power and Future Middle East Challenges, Foreign Area Officer Journal 2004
- DIA Analysis: Reconstituting The Iraqi Army (Think Piece For Secretary of Defense) 2003
- Restoring Duty and Honor to the Officer Corps, Military Review 2002
RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC PROJECTS
- Led, contributed to, coordinated, and briefed ISIS threat analytic project to former Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, who lauded the effort 2016
- Led DIA combined analytic contribution to Armed Sources of Instability in Iraq National Intelligence Estimate published for National Security Council officials 2004
- Research assistance for textbook coauthor Dr. Chuck Fahrer, Political Geography, Third Edition 2004
- Commissioned by DIA Director to write think piece for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on reconstitution of Iraqi Army after removal of Saddam Hussein 2003
Languages
Arabic
Professional
Timeline
Senior Intelligence Analyst, Government Civilian
Federal Bureau of Investigation
08.2025 - 09.2026
Senior Strategic Planner, Government Civilian
Joint Chiefs of Staff
08.2024 - 07.2025
Senior National Security Intelligence Analyst, Government Civilian
Federal Bureau of Investigation
10.2010 - 07.2024
Supervisory Intelligence Analyst, Government Civilian
Federal Bureau of Investigation
02.2008 - 09.2010
Senior Political-Military Analyst, Government Civilian
Defense Intelligence Agency
11.2006 - 01.2008
Policy Officer, Army Lieutenant Colonel
Office of Secretary of Defense
07.2005 - 08.2006
Political-Military Attache, Army Major
US Regional Embassy Office
12.2004 - 06.2005
Middle East Senior Political-Military Analyst, Army Major
Defense Intelligence Agency
07.2002 - 05.2004
Assistant Chief of Staff, Political-Military Operations, Army Major
1st Corps Support Command
10.2000 - 07.2001
Middle East Foreign Area Officer, Army Captain
US Embassy-Amman
01.1998 - 12.1998
Intelligence Detachment Commander, Army Captain
742d Military Intelligence Battalion
06.1995 - 06.1997
Signals Intelligence Officer, Army Captain
742d Military Intelligence Battalion
09.1993 - 05.1995
Postgraduate Diploma -
US Army Command and General Staff College
M.A. - Middle Eastern Studies
University of Texas
B.A. - Journalism
University of Texas At Arlington