Christopher Scolese

Christopher J. Scolese is an American engineer and intelligence official serving as the director of the National Reconnaissance Office. He was appointed the 19th director of the National Reconnaissance Office (DNRO) on August 1, 2019. Scolese was sworn into office on August 5, 2019. Education Scolese holds a Bachelor of Sciences degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University at Buffalo (1978); a master's degree in electrical and computer engineering from George Washington University (1982); and a Ph.D. in systems engineering from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (2016). He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University at Buffalo in 2015. Career Scolese began his government career as a United States Naval Officer in 1978, supporting a variety of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programs for the U.S. Navy and the Department of Energy. He served on active duty until 1983, and then in the Navy Reserve until 1991, retiring as a lieutenant. In 1987, following a brief period of service working in government and industry, Scolese joined NASA, where he was assigned to the Goddard Space Flight Center. During this period, he served in a variety of senior management positions including; Earth Observing System (EOS) systems manager, EOS Terra project manager, EOS program manager, and deputy director of Flight Programs and Projects for Earth Science.