Missile Defense Agency Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Missile Defense Agency has 10 executives leading key functions including strategic oversight, technology development, operational management, and administrative coordination.

Committed to national security, Missile Defense Agency advances critical research and development of missile technology to protect the United States from evolving global threats through innovative defense systems.

Leadership Roles at Missile Defense Agency

  • Deputy Commander (Chief Operating Officer) - Charles Branson
  • Chief Technology Officer - Trigg Borgerson
  • Chief of Staff - Thomas Tenner
  • Chief of Staff, DE - Thomas Blume
  • Deputy To The For Agency Operations Chief of Staff - James Johnson
  • Chief of Staff, Ground-based Midcourse Defense - Norm Spivey
  • Deputy Chief of Staff - Douglas Oyler
  • Technical Directorate Chief of Staff - Marc Trosien
  • Deputy Director - Hudson Harris
  • Deputy Director - Michael McKay
  • Charles Branson - Deputy Commander (Chief Operating Officer)

    Charles Branson, the Deputy Commander (Chief Operating Officer) at Missile Defense Agency, oversees the day-to-day operational readiness of the agency's defense assets. Managing the logistics of large-scale deployment exercises, the Deputy Commander (Chief Operating Officer) ensures that all systems function effectively within the broader national defense framework. This leadership role involves coordinating with military branches to integrate missile defense capabilities into existing operational structures. By supervising the maintenance and deployment of critical hardware, Charles Branson guarantees that the agency remains prepared for potential threats. The Deputy Commander (Chief Operating Officer) monitors operational performance metrics to identify areas for improvement in system reliability and response times. Through the management of cross-functional teams, the Deputy Commander (Chief Operating Officer) ensures that all operational objectives meet established timelines. Ultimately, Branson drives the agency's operational effectiveness by maintaining high standards of readiness and logistical precision.

    Trigg Borgerson - Chief Technology Officer

    Trigg Borgerson, the Chief Technology Officer at Missile Defense Agency, architects the technical vision for next-generation missile defense systems. Overseeing the research and development division, the Chief Technology Officer drives innovation in sensor technology and interceptor precision. This leadership role involves evaluating emerging scientific breakthroughs to determine potential applications for national defense. By collaborating with academic and private sector partners, Trigg Borgerson accelerates the prototyping of advanced defensive solutions. The Chief Technology Officer manages the technical review process for all ongoing projects, ensuring that engineering standards remain at the forefront of the industry. Through the implementation of cutting-edge computational modeling, the Chief Technology Officer enhances the accuracy of threat detection systems. Ultimately, Borgerson maintains the agency's competitive edge by fostering a culture of technical excellence and ensuring that all research initiatives align with the overarching goal of robust missile defense.

    Thomas Tenner - Chief of Staff

    Thomas Tenner, the Chief of Staff at Missile Defense Agency, coordinates administrative operations and facilitates communication across all internal departments. Managing the flow of information to the executive leadership team, the Chief of Staff ensures that organizational priorities receive appropriate attention and resources. This leadership role involves streamlining internal processes to improve efficiency in daily agency functions. By overseeing the execution of strategic directives, Thomas Tenner maintains alignment between departmental goals and the agency's broader mission. The Chief of Staff manages complex scheduling and logistical requirements for high-level meetings, ensuring that decision-makers possess the necessary data for informed action. Through the development of internal policy frameworks, the Chief of Staff fosters a cohesive work environment. Ultimately, Tenner supports the agency's operational success by optimizing administrative workflows and ensuring that all staff members remain focused on critical national security objectives.

    Thomas Blume - Chief of Staff, DE

    Thomas Blume, the Chief of Staff, DE at Missile Defense Agency, manages the administrative and operational support for the Directed Energy division. Overseeing the coordination of specialized research projects, the Chief of Staff, DE ensures that technical teams have the necessary resources to advance laser and high-energy weapon systems. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between engineering groups and executive leadership to ensure project milestones remain on track. By streamlining the administrative processes specific to the DE division, Thomas Blume improves the speed of research and development cycles. The Chief of Staff, DE monitors budget utilization and personnel allocation to maximize the impact of directed energy initiatives. Through the implementation of rigorous project management standards, the Chief of Staff, DE maintains focus on the development of innovative defensive technologies. Ultimately, Blume supports the agency's mission by ensuring the operational efficiency of the Directed Energy program.

    James Johnson - Deputy To The For Agency Operations Chief of Staff

    James Johnson, the Deputy To The For Agency Operations Chief of Staff at Missile Defense Agency, assists in the management of agency-wide operational workflows and administrative support systems. Overseeing the implementation of internal process improvements, the Deputy To The For Agency Operations Chief of Staff ensures that operational departments function with maximum efficiency. This leadership role involves analyzing performance data to identify bottlenecks in administrative support and proposing solutions to enhance productivity. By coordinating with various division heads, James Johnson facilitates the smooth execution of agency-wide initiatives. The Deputy To The For Agency Operations Chief of Staff manages the integration of new operational policies, ensuring that all staff members understand and adhere to updated procedures. Through the oversight of daily administrative tasks, the Deputy To The For Agency Operations Chief of Staff maintains organizational stability. Ultimately, Johnson supports the agency's mission by optimizing the operational infrastructure required for successful missile defense development.

    Norm Spivey - Chief of Staff, Ground-based Midcourse Defense

    Norm Spivey, the Chief of Staff, Ground-based Midcourse Defense at Missile Defense Agency, directs the administrative and operational coordination for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program. Overseeing the integration of interceptor systems and ground-based sensors, the Chief of Staff, Ground-based Midcourse Defense ensures that all components of the defense network operate in harmony. This leadership role involves managing the complex logistics associated with maintaining a nationwide defensive shield. By facilitating communication between technical teams and program leadership, Norm Spivey ensures that development goals remain aligned with national security requirements. The Chief of Staff, Ground-based Midcourse Defense monitors the progress of system upgrades and maintenance schedules to ensure continuous operational readiness. Through the management of project resources, the Chief of Staff, Ground-based Midcourse Defense optimizes the performance of the GMD program. Ultimately, Spivey secures the integrity of the nation's midcourse defense capabilities through diligent oversight and strategic coordination.

    Douglas Oyler - Deputy Chief of Staff

    Douglas Oyler, the Deputy Chief of Staff at Missile Defense Agency, supports the executive leadership in managing the agency's strategic planning and administrative functions. Overseeing the preparation of high-level briefings and reports, the Deputy Chief of Staff ensures that leadership remains informed on critical developments across all divisions. This leadership role involves coordinating cross-departmental projects to ensure that agency objectives receive consistent support. By managing the flow of information between the Chief of Staff and various operational units, Douglas Oyler improves the speed and accuracy of decision-making processes. The Deputy Chief of Staff monitors the implementation of strategic initiatives to ensure that all departments remain aligned with the agency's long-term goals. Through the oversight of administrative support teams, the Deputy Chief of Staff maintains a high standard of organizational performance. Ultimately, Oyler strengthens the agency's operational capacity by facilitating effective communication and strategic alignment.

    Marc Trosien - Technical Directorate Chief of Staff

    Marc Trosien, the Technical Directorate Chief of Staff at Missile Defense Agency, manages the administrative and operational support for the agency's technical directorate. Overseeing the coordination of complex engineering projects, the Technical Directorate Chief of Staff ensures that technical teams have the necessary resources to meet research and development milestones. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between engineering leads and executive management to ensure that technical objectives align with the agency's broader mission. By streamlining the administrative processes within the technical directorate, Marc Trosien improves the efficiency of research cycles. The Technical Directorate Chief of Staff monitors project timelines and resource allocation to ensure that all technical initiatives remain on schedule. Through the implementation of rigorous project management standards, the Technical Directorate Chief of Staff maintains focus on the development of advanced defensive technologies. Ultimately, Trosien supports the agency's mission by ensuring the operational efficiency of the technical directorate.

    Hudson Harris - Deputy Director

    Hudson Harris, the Deputy Director at Missile Defense Agency, manages high-level strategic initiatives focused on ballistic missile defense architecture. Overseeing complex interagency collaborations, the Deputy Director ensures alignment between research objectives and national security requirements. This leadership role involves evaluating long-term technological roadmaps to counter emerging threats across global theaters. By coordinating with the Department of Defense, Hudson Harris drives the integration of advanced interceptor systems into existing defense networks. The Deputy Director maintains rigorous standards for project execution, ensuring that all development cycles meet stringent federal benchmarks. Through constant assessment of operational readiness, the Deputy Director optimizes resource allocation for critical defense programs. Ultimately, Harris secures the technical integrity of the agency's mission by fostering innovation in missile defense capabilities while maintaining strict adherence to federal policy mandates and budgetary constraints.

    Michael McKay - Deputy Director

    Michael McKay, the Deputy Director at Missile Defense Agency, directs the implementation of large-scale missile defense testing and evaluation protocols. Managing the transition of experimental technologies into operational assets, the Deputy Director facilitates seamless communication between research laboratories and field deployment teams. This leadership role requires constant monitoring of global threat landscapes to adjust development priorities accordingly. By supervising the lifecycle of complex defense systems, Michael McKay ensures that all hardware meets the necessary performance criteria for national protection. The Deputy Director coordinates with external stakeholders to streamline procurement processes and accelerate the delivery of critical defense infrastructure. Through meticulous oversight of testing schedules, the Deputy Director minimizes technical risks during the development phase. Ultimately, McKay strengthens the agency's capacity to respond to sophisticated missile threats by refining operational workflows and enhancing the reliability of defensive technologies.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Missile Defense Agency Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Missile Defense Agency?
    Missile Defense Agency is led by Charles Branson (Deputy Commander (Chief Operating Officer)), along with executives such as Trigg Borgerson (Chief Technology Officer) and Thomas Tenner (Chief of Staff).
    Who is part of Missile Defense Agency’s executive team?
    The executive team of Missile Defense Agency includes leaders such as Charles Branson (Deputy Commander (Chief Operating Officer)), Trigg Borgerson (Chief Technology Officer), Thomas Tenner (Chief of Staff) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Missile Defense Agency have?
    Missile Defense Agency has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Missile Defense Agency’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Missile Defense Agency includes roles such as Deputy Commander (Chief Operating Officer), Chief Technology Officer, Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff, DE, Deputy To The For Agency Operations Chief of Staff.