Leadership

Jim Kren serves as an interim Deputy Director for Research at GTRI and leads the Electronics, Optics, and Systems Directorate. This organization serves as the trusted partner to DoD sponsors, bringing new capabilities to the warfighter, including enhancement of legacy systems, modeling and analysis for decision support, and next-generation technologies, including Light Detection and Ranging, Radiofrequency (RF), Photonics, Electro-Optical, and RF electronic warfare, microelectronics and advanced materials, Live, Virtual, & Constructive, and Human Systems Integration supporting technology transition and training and missile defense. 

Jim most recently served as a Deputy Chief Operating Officer, where he supported the COO by providing strategic oversight and guidance for day-to-day operations of the research institute. 

Prior to joining GTRI, Jim was a member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service – formerly serving as Acting Deputy Director of the Secretary of the Air Force’s Concepts, Development, and Management Office (SAF/CDM), where he was responsible for enterprise operations across an applied research and operations organization. Jim also served as Director, Systems Development, where he advised Department of Defense and Air Force leadership on emerging technologies, policies, programs, operational requirements, and critical technology protection. He led concept and technology development activities and delivered artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities to key missions. He was also responsible for the Department of the Air Force’s Counter-Insider Threat Program Management Office.

Jim served as Deputy Director, Defense Security Service (DSS) and was the principal advisor and consultant to the Director of DSS. He formulated policy, managed agency resources, partnered with the defense industry, and led operational activities to accomplish DSS’s mission. He also served as the General Manager of the Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation Systems Agency, North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Brussels, Belgium, where he directed the agency’s mission of enabling and enhancing multinational intelligence sharing, collaboration, and exchange. Jim served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. 

Jim holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Missouri and a master of arts degree from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. He also completed the CAPSTONE General/Flag Joint Officer Course.