Leadership of the National Reconnaissance Office


The Director of the National Reconnaissance Office of the United States is responsible to the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence for all national space and assigned airborne reconnaissance activities. The DNRO provides top-level management direction to the NRO in response to Secretary of Defense and Director of National Intelligence requirements.

Chronological list of National Reconnaissance Office directors

This is a list of directors of the NRO, and the terms in office.
PhotoNameTerm of OfficePresidential Administration(s)Significant events
Dr. Richard M. Bissell, Jr.September 1961 – February 1962KennedyCo-director with Dr. Charyk
Dr. Joseph V. CharykSeptember 6, 1961 – March 1, 1963KennedyFirst NRO co-director
Dr. Brockway McMillanMarch 1, 1963 – October 1, 1965Kennedy/Johnson-
Dr. Alexander H. FlaxOctober 1, 1965 – March 17, 1969Johnson-
Dr. John L. McLucasMarch 17, 1969 – December 20, 1973Nixon-
Mr. James W. PlummerDecember 21, 1973 – June 28, 1976Nixon/Ford-
Mr. Thomas C. ReedAugust 9, 1976 – April 7, 1977Ford/Carter-
Dr. Hans MarkAugust 3, 1977 – October 7, 1979Carter-
Dr. Robert J. HermannOctober 8, 1979 – August 2, 1981Carter/Reagan-
Mr. Edward (Pete) C. Aldridge, Jr.August 3, 1981 – December 16, 1988Reagan-
Mr. Martin C. FagaSeptember 28, 1989 – March 5, 1993Bush/ClintonDeclassification of NRO
Mr. Jeffrey K. HarrisMay 19, 1994 – February 26, 1996ClintonDeclassification of CORONA/ARGON/LANYARD
Mr. Keith R. HallMarch 28, 1997 – December 13, 2001Clinton/BushSeptember 11, 2001 attacks
Mr. Peter B. TeetsDecember 2001 – March 2005Bush-
Dr. Donald M. KerrJuly 2005 – October 5, 2007Bush-
Mr. Scott F. LargeOctober 19, 2007 – April 18, 2009Bush/Obama-
General Bruce Carlson, USAF June 12, 2009 – July 20, 2012Obama-
Ms. Betty J. SappJuly 20, 2012 – April 4, 2019Obama/TrumpFirst woman NRO Director
Dr. Christopher ScoleseAugust 5, 2019 – presentTrump/BidenFirst presidentially-appointed and Senate-confirmed NRO Director