Deputy Director John Mulligan

John J. Mulligan joined the National Counterterrorism Center in March 2015. He is the first deputy director to come from the National Security Agency (NSA)  where he most recently served as associate deputy director, counterterrorism.

Mulligan was responsible for the NSA’s overall counterterrorism program from August 2011 through February 2015. His role included integrating NSA capabilities with other US government agencies to detect and disrupt terrorist threats around the world.

Mulligan joined the NSA in 1983 as an intelligence research intern. He has served in a variety of roles, including field postings and positions at military commands. NSA Headquarters assignments include service as a senior group coordinator in the National Security Operations Center and management positions within NSA Analysis and Production. From 2005 to 2007, he completed two separate tours in the Middle East.

Mulligan has been awarded both the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Exceptional Civilian Service Award from the US Central Command for his work in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. A Chicago native, he earned a B.A. in English from the Notre Dame and an M.B.A. from the University of Florida.