THOMAS MANION
Aldie,VA
Summary
Senior executive and national security director with 20 years of experience in mission operations, budget management, and technology integration within U.S. intelligence and defense sectors. Oversaw multi-million dollar budgets, developed space architectures, and led teams exceeding 400 personnel. Expertise in converting national security needs into actionable technology solutions while building strong relationships with government oversight entities.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Director, Office of Weapons and Counterproliferation
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Springfield, VA
10.2025 - Current
- Direct day-to-day operations and strategic direction for a 400+ person organization, ensuring alignment with agency and U.S. National Security priorities.
- Brief senior legislative and executive branch officials on GEOINT capabilities and platform requirements to inform strategic decisions.
- Manage multi-million dollar operational budget execution; authored zero-based organizational reviews that enhanced operational efficiencies by nearly 10%.
- Standardize program execution workflows to streamline start-up, delivery, and risk mitigation across dispersed teams.
GEOINT Mission Manager for Near East and South Asia
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Springfield, VA
03.2023 - 10.2025
- Oversaw strategic direction and prioritized daily operations for global workforce of 300+ intelligence officers, ensuring mission alignment and readiness.
- Integrated mission capabilities across R&D, advanced technology acquisition, collection operations, IT infrastructure, and international defense partnerships, enhancing operational effectiveness.
- Directed agency response to international crises by reallocating resources, securing oversight authorizations, and updating operational policies to address evolving threats.
National Intelligence Manager for the Near East
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
McLean, VA
03.2021 - 02.2023
- Formulated and executed unifying intelligence strategy, aligning 1,000+ officers across 17 IC agencies to eliminate capability gaps.
- Directed funding for innovative non-traditional technology initiatives addressing high-priority national security challenges.
- Conducted enterprise-wide portfolio reviews, eliminating programmatic redundancies and achieving annual savings exceeding $10 million for IC.
National GEOINT Officer for Middle East
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Springfield, VA
08.2018 - 02.2021
- Collaborated with senior U.S. Government leadership to secure program advocacy, align inter-agency efforts, and ensure long-term funding sustainability.
- Integrated data science, automated methodologies, and advanced analytics into routine collection and operational workflows, improving data utilization.
- Delivered analytic and collection technical expertise, authoring NGA’s regional Program of Analysis and strategic execution metrics to enhance operational effectiveness.
Senior GEOINT Officer, Near East Division
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Springfield, VA
04.2015 - 07.2018
- Managed an operational division of 100+ analysts providing rapid-response intelligence during multiple crisis events.
- Co-led automated R&D initiatives with Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) to provide data-driven solutions for complex intelligence requirements.
- Developed automated reporting tools that streamlined production and eliminated workflow bottlenecks, enhancing resource deployment.
Chief of Staff for the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
McLean, VA
03.2014 - 04.2015
- Managed national space acquisition portfolio for Principal Deputy Director, shaping long-term architecture strategies to optimize national security space assets.
- Advised senior IC leadership on strategic operations, enterprise budget management, and multi-agency policy, enhancing decision-making processes.
- Coordinated strategic initiatives across national intelligence agencies.
- Managed executive communications and briefing materials for senior leadership.
- Facilitated cross-departmental collaboration to enhance operational efficiency.
Chief, China Military Forces Branch
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Springfield, VA
06.2013 - 03.2014
- Managed business unit operations and financial performance, executing Activity-Based Intelligence (ABI) initiatives.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
Senior Analyst & Team Lead, Syria Military Forces Branch
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Springfield, VA
02.2006 - 05.2013
- Directed deployable teams during military operations in the Middle East, managing crisis operations and ensuring mission objectives were met.
- Analyzed geospatial data to support national security operations.
- Developed intelligence reports for decision-makers within the agency.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance operational effectiveness.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science (With Honors)
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PASkills
- Space & GEOINT Architecture
- Remote sensing architecture
- Payload acquisition
- Collection integration
- Program Management
- Budget forecasting
- P&L Oversight
- Resource allocation
- Execution
- Risk management
- Operational governance
- Process Excellence
- Agile
- Framework optimization
- Business capture
- Stakeholder management
- Organizational Leadership
- Building teams
- High-performing leadership
- Mentoring
- Cross-functional collaboration
Clearance
Active TS/SCI with Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph
Timeline
Deputy Director, Office of Weapons and Counterproliferation
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
10.2025 - Current
GEOINT Mission Manager for Near East and South Asia
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
03.2023 - 10.2025
National Intelligence Manager for the Near East
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
03.2021 - 02.2023
National GEOINT Officer for Middle East
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
08.2018 - 02.2021
Senior GEOINT Officer, Near East Division
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
04.2015 - 07.2018
Chief of Staff for the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
03.2014 - 04.2015
Chief, China Military Forces Branch
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
06.2013 - 03.2014
Senior Analyst & Team Lead, Syria Military Forces Branch
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
02.2006 - 05.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science (With Honors)
Gettysburg College