Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency has 10 executives leading key functions including personnel vetting, critical technology protection, counterintelligence, and training.

Committed to safeguarding the national security infrastructure, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency executes comprehensive background investigations and protects critical technology across federal entities and cleared companies.

Leadership Roles at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency

  • Chief Financial Officer - Zack Gaddy
  • Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer, Office of - Meredith Morefield
  • Chief Operating Officer - Blake Moore
  • Chief of Staff - Ellen Ardrey
  • Industrial Policy & Programs Chief of Staff - William Bernier
  • Chief of Staff, Personnel Vetting - Raymond Baronie
  • Security Training Chief of Staff - Sharon Ward
  • Field Operations Mid Atlantic Region Chief of Staff - Helena Brown
  • Industrial Policy & Programs Chief of Staff - Rebecca Bernier
  • Acting Chief Technology Officer - Tom Holmes
  • Zack Gaddy - Chief Financial Officer

    Zack Gaddy, the Chief Financial Officer at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, manages the fiscal health and budgetary planning for all security and vetting missions. Gaddy oversees the allocation of federal funding to support critical technology protection and personnel background investigations. By implementing robust financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer ensures transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayer resources. This leadership role involves analyzing cost structures to optimize the delivery of services to over 100 federal entities. Zack Gaddy drives long-term financial sustainability by aligning budget priorities with the agency's strategic security goals. Through meticulous oversight of financial reporting, Gaddy provides the necessary data for executive decision-making. The Chief Financial Officer coordinates with external auditors to maintain compliance with federal regulations. By managing complex financial portfolios, Gaddy secures the necessary capital to sustain the agency's expansive operational footprint.
    Zack Gaddy

    Meredith Morefield - Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer, Office of

    Meredith Morefield, the Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer, Office of at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, integrates administrative management with fiscal oversight for the office. Morefield directs the internal operations while simultaneously monitoring the budgetary requirements of the department. By bridging the gap between staff coordination and financial planning, the Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer, Office of ensures that resources match operational demands. This role involves managing the administrative burden of the office to allow for focused execution of security missions. Meredith Morefield drives efficiency by aligning staff activities with available financial assets. Through careful monitoring of expenditures, Morefield supports the agency's ability to conduct millions of background investigations. The Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer, Office of maintains high standards of fiscal responsibility while facilitating daily office functions. By optimizing internal processes, Morefield ensures the office remains agile in a complex federal environment.

    Blake Moore - Chief Operating Officer

    Blake Moore, the Chief Operating Officer at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, directs the execution of large-scale background investigations and industrial security programs. Moore oversees the operational infrastructure required to support 10,000 cleared companies and over 100 federal entities. By scaling internal processes, the Chief Operating Officer ensures the agency manages approximately 2 million investigations annually with precision. This role involves managing the logistical complexities of both physical and virtual workspace security. Blake Moore drives operational excellence by integrating advanced technology into vetting workflows. Through strategic management of regional field operations, Moore maintains consistent service delivery across the United States. The Chief Operating Officer monitors performance data to identify bottlenecks in the vetting pipeline. By refining operational procedures, Moore enhances the speed and accuracy of security clearances, directly contributing to the protection of the national trusted workforce.

    Ellen Ardrey - Chief of Staff

    Ellen Ardrey, the Chief of Staff at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, coordinates internal administrative operations to ensure alignment with federal security mandates. Ardrey manages cross-functional workflows between personnel vetting divisions and critical technology protection units. By streamlining communication channels, the Chief of Staff facilitates rapid decision-making processes for the agency. This leadership role involves overseeing organizational performance metrics to maintain high standards for the trusted workforce. Ellen Ardrey drives efficiency across the agency by optimizing resource allocation and policy implementation. Through rigorous oversight of daily operations, Ardrey supports the broader mission of protecting national assets. The Chief of Staff maintains constant engagement with senior leadership to address emerging security challenges. By fostering collaboration across diverse departments, Ardrey ensures that the agency meets its annual investigative targets while upholding strict compliance protocols within the federal government landscape.

    William Bernier - Industrial Policy & Programs Chief of Staff

    William Bernier, the Industrial Policy & Programs Chief of Staff at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, coordinates the administrative framework for industrial security initiatives. Bernier manages the flow of information between policy developers and the 10,000 cleared companies under agency oversight. By streamlining the implementation of industrial security programs, the Industrial Policy & Programs Chief of Staff ensures that private sector partners adhere to federal standards. This role involves facilitating communication between internal policy teams and external stakeholders. William Bernier drives the adoption of new security protocols by managing the administrative rollout of updated policies. Through rigorous coordination, Bernier supports the protection of critical technology within the industrial base. The Industrial Policy & Programs Chief of Staff monitors the effectiveness of program delivery to ensure consistent compliance. By managing the operational side of industrial policy, Bernier enables the agency to secure the national supply chain effectively.

    Raymond Baronie - Chief of Staff, Personnel Vetting

    Raymond Baronie, the Chief of Staff, Personnel Vetting at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, manages the administrative operations supporting the personnel vetting mission. Baronie coordinates the workflows necessary to process millions of background investigations annually. By overseeing the internal staff functions, the Chief of Staff, Personnel Vetting ensures that the vetting process remains efficient and compliant with federal requirements. This role involves managing the logistical support for investigators and analysts tasked with protecting the trusted workforce. Raymond Baronie drives operational improvements by refining the administrative procedures that underpin the vetting lifecycle. Through constant coordination with vetting leadership, Baronie ensures that resources are directed toward high-priority cases. The Chief of Staff, Personnel Vetting monitors performance metrics to maintain the integrity of the vetting process. By managing the administrative backbone of the mission, Baronie supports the agency's goal of securing the federal workforce.

    Sharon Ward - Security Training Chief of Staff

    Sharon Ward, the Security Training Chief of Staff at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, coordinates the administrative and operational functions of the agency's training, education, and certification programs. Ward manages the logistics of delivering security training to federal personnel and cleared industry partners. By streamlining the scheduling and resource allocation for training modules, the Security Training Chief of Staff ensures that the workforce remains prepared for evolving security threats. This role involves managing the administrative requirements for certification programs that validate security expertise. Sharon Ward drives the effectiveness of training delivery by optimizing the internal support systems. Through rigorous coordination, Ward ensures that educational content reaches the intended audience across the federal landscape. The Security Training Chief of Staff monitors training participation and outcomes to assess the impact on national security. By managing the training infrastructure, Ward supports the agency's mission of building a knowledgeable and trusted workforce.

    Helena Brown - Field Operations Mid Atlantic Region Chief of Staff

    Helena Brown, the Field Operations Mid Atlantic Region Chief of Staff at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, manages the administrative and operational support for field activities within the Mid-Atlantic region. Brown coordinates the deployment of resources to ensure that background investigations and security oversight are conducted effectively across this critical geographic area. By streamlining communication between field agents and headquarters, the Field Operations Mid Atlantic Region Chief of Staff facilitates the rapid execution of security missions. This role involves managing the logistical needs of the regional workforce to maintain high productivity. Helena Brown drives operational consistency by implementing standardized administrative procedures across the region. Through careful oversight of field activities, Brown ensures that the agency meets its investigative targets in the Mid-Atlantic. The Field Operations Mid Atlantic Region Chief of Staff monitors regional performance to identify and resolve operational challenges. By managing regional support, Brown enables the agency to maintain a strong security presence.

    Rebecca Bernier - Industrial Policy & Programs Chief of Staff

    Rebecca Bernier, the Industrial Policy & Programs Chief of Staff at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, focuses on the strategic planning and administrative execution of industrial security programs. Bernier manages the internal processes that support the protection of critical technology within the cleared industrial base. By coordinating the efforts of policy analysts and program managers, the Industrial Policy & Programs Chief of Staff ensures that security requirements are clearly communicated and implemented. This role involves managing the administrative lifecycle of industrial security policies to ensure they remain relevant to current threats. Rebecca Bernier drives the integration of new security standards by overseeing the administrative rollout across the industrial sector. Through rigorous coordination, Bernier supports the agency's mission to safeguard sensitive technology. The Industrial Policy & Programs Chief of Staff monitors program compliance to ensure that cleared companies maintain the highest security standards. By managing the administrative side of industrial programs, Bernier strengthens the national security posture.

    Tom Holmes - Acting Chief Technology Officer

    Tom Holmes, the Acting Chief Technology Officer at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, directs the technological strategy and digital infrastructure required to support the agency's security missions. Holmes oversees the development and maintenance of systems used for personnel vetting and critical technology protection. By architecting secure digital environments, the Acting Chief Technology Officer ensures that the agency can process millions of investigations in a virtual workspace. This role involves managing the integration of advanced data analytics and cybersecurity tools to defend against emerging threats. Tom Holmes drives technological innovation by modernizing the agency's IT systems to improve efficiency and data integrity. Through strategic oversight of the technology roadmap, Holmes ensures that the agency remains at the forefront of security technology. The Acting Chief Technology Officer coordinates with other C-suite leaders to align digital capabilities with operational needs. By managing the agency's technological assets, Holmes supports the protection of the national trusted workforce.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency?
    Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency is led by Zack Gaddy (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Meredith Morefield (Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer, Office of) and Blake Moore (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency’s executive team?
    The executive team of Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency includes leaders such as Zack Gaddy (Chief Financial Officer), Meredith Morefield (Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer, Office of), Blake Moore (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency have?
    Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer, Office of, Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Staff, Industrial Policy & Programs Chief of Staff.