Joseph Maguire

Joseph Maguire is the Executive Director of the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas at Austin and holds the Sid Richardson Distinguished Visiting Public Official Chair at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. Before assuming these roles, he served as the head of the United States Intelligence Community, a coalition of seventeen agencies and organizations, and was principal advisor to the President, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council. Prior to assuming the role of the Acting Director of National Intelligence, he was Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). During his tenure, he led and integrated National and International Counterterrorism efforts, driving whole-of-government actions to serve national objectives.

After thirty-six years as a Navy SEAL, in which he commanded at every level, Joe retired from the Navy at the rank of Vice Admiral. Outside of government service, Joe served as Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he focused on supporting America’s Special Operations Forces. He went on to lead the Special Operations Warrior Foundation as President and CEO, overseeing one of the nation’s highest-rated charities dedicated to providing educational assistance and full college tuition to the children of fallen Special Operators. Joe left the foundation to return to government service when he was nominated by the President to lead NCTC. 

Throughout his career, Joe has received numerous military, intelligence, and civilian awards, including the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal and the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal. He was inducted into the Commando Hall of Honor and is the recipient of United States Special Operations Command’s Patriot Award. Notably, he was also the first recipient of the Office of Strategic Services Society’s Lieutenant Jack Taylor Award.

Joe received his Bachelor of Science degree from Manhattan College, where he is a member of the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He holds a Master’s degree in National Security from the Naval Postgraduate School and was a National Security Fellow at Harvard University.