John Mulligan joined the Chertoff Group as a Senior Advisor in 2025. He served as a senior executive leader at the Department of Defense for over 39 years managing national security, counterterrorism and intelligence missions in complex, high risk environments.
The former Deputy Director of the National Counterterrorism Center and former Chief of National Security Agency Counterterrorism, John helped develop multiple government-wide strategic plans and operations to counter threats to the U.S. homeland. Leading dynamic and technologically astute workforces, he and his teams successfully employed advanced technologies and superior organizational structures across physical, cyber and informational domains to counter and contain rapidly evolving terror threats.
John also served as a member of NSA’s Board of Directors, leading the Agency’s Engagement and Policy Directorate. His team focused on developing integrated policy, strategic planning, compliance, strategic communications, engagement with external partners, and tailored delivery of intelligence products and services.
In the earlier part of his career, John’s primary work involved intelligence support to military operations. John served as the senior intelligence advisor to multiple U.S. military Commands and the principal leader of specific intelligence support activities. He managed cadres of globally dispersed intelligence professionals providing timely actionable intelligence to a wide network of military, diplomatic, and other U.S. government and coalition partners.
A native of Chicago, Illinois, John resides in Gainesville, Florida, where he and his wife Connie have raised three grown children. John has a BA from the University of Notre Dame, an MBA from the University of Florida, a graduate certificate in telecommunications, and multiple leadership and professional certifications. He completed both the Defense Leadership and Management (DLAMP) and Air War College programs.
John has received multiple awards for his federal service, including the Presidential Rank Award, the National Intelligence Sustained Superior Service Medal and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Distinguished Civilian Service Award.