Sean Kirkpatrick, PHD is currently CEO of Nonlinear Solutions, LLC, a strategic consulting company. Dr. Kirkpatrick brings nearly three decades of national security experience and technical expertise in scientific and technical intelligence (S&TI), S&TI and space policy, research and development, acquisitions, and operations with a specialization in space/counterspace mission areas.

 

Prior to his retirement from government service as a career federal employee, in December of 2023, he served as the first Director of the Defense Department’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and reported to the Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence. Immediately following retirement, he served as the Chief Technology Officer for National Security Programs at Oakridge National Laboratory.

 

Dr. Kirkpatrick, a native of Georgia, grew up in the Atlanta area where he attended the University of Georgia as an undergraduate, to study physics. Dr. Kirkpatrick finished his Ph.D. work in nonlinear and nonequilibrium phonon dynamics of rare earth doped fluoride crystals also at the University of Georgia and is currently an adjunct professor at UGA.

 

He served in multiple sensitive space and S&T roles across the Naval Research Lab, Air Force Research Lab, National Reconnaissance Office, CIA, DIA and OSD. He entered Senior Service as the Defense Intelligence Officer for Scientific and Technical Intelligence, serving as the Department of Defense’s counterpart to the National Intelligence Manager for Science and Technology and developing the first integrated Scientific and Technical Intelligence Strategy for the Department. Dr. Kirkpatrick served in a variety of high-profile and no-fail roles including special assignment to the Principal Deputy Director National Intelligence leading the Intelligence Community’s support to the Joint Interagency Combined Space Operations Center (now the National Space Defense Center, NSDC); Deputy Director of Intelligence, US Strategic Command; Director, National Security Strategy, National Security Council; Deputy Director of Intelligence and the DNI Representative for USSPACECOM. He served as either the IC or DoD lead in establishing six “new-start” organizations including the USSPACECOM Intelligence Enterprise and AARO.

 

Dr. Kirkpatrick currently serves on the Army Science Board, the Air Force S&T Roundtable at the National Academies of Science, AFCEA’s Intel Committee, and the National Security Space Association Board. 

 

Dr. Kirkpatrick is the recipient of several scientific, military and intelligence awards. These include the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, the Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the National Intelligence Exceptional Achievement Medal, four National Intelligence Collaboration medallions, the NRO Innovation and Achievement Award, the Cleary Award for Scientific Excellence, and the DIA Director’s Award for Excellence. Dr. Kirkpatrick holds 2 open patents and has contributed to several scientific books on nonlinear phenomena as well as written multiple integrated national security strategies for the National and Defense Intelligence Communities. He was appointed to the Senior Service in 2012.