Donald J. Blersch

As the Senior Coordinator for Security Infrastructure, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Mr. Blersch provides executive leadership at the Deputy Assistant Secretary level in the planning, development, implementation, and execution of critical security activities taking place within the Department’s Office Personnel Security and Suitability – the second largest Federal agency authorized to conduct background investigations and grant personnel security clearances in accordance with E.O. 10450 and E.O. 12968 to its personnel; the Office of Information Security (Security Awareness, Industrial Security, Supply Chain Risk Management, Critical Technology/Infrastructure Protection and Special Security Operations); as well as, within the highly acclaimed Department of State Insider Threat Program. In addition, Mr. Blersch serves as the chief technical advisor to the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, and to other senior management officials within the Bureau and Department on all matters relating to multiple security disciplines – enabling the Department of State to meet its vital national security responsibilities with a well vetted and trusted workforce – one focused on protecting the Nation’s most sensitive classified and intelligence information in an effective, efficient, and secure manner in the performance of the Department’s foreign affairs mission. Prior to joining the Department of State, Mr. Blersch served in various positions of increasing leadership responsibility within and across various U.S. Government Agencies and Departments. These include: as Director for Technical Intelligence at the Missile Defense Agency (MDA); service as a Senior Liaison Officer and Country Lead to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)/U.S. Forces – Afghanistan; the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI); the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); the United States Air Force (USAF); the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); and, the White House. EDUCATION: BS degrees in Physics and Mathematics from St. Bonaventure University; MS in Astronautics from George Washington University; and an MA in National Security Studies from Georgetown University. AWARDS AND CITATIONS: Vice Presidential National Performance Review “Hammer Award”; the Department of Commerce Silver Medal for Meritorious Federal Service (Leadership); the NATO Non-Article 5 Service Medal (ISAF-Afghanistan); the Director of National Intelligence Exceptional Service Medal; the Intelligence Community Joint Duty Service Device; and, the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. Mr. Blersch entered into the Director of National Intelligence’s Senior National Intelligence Service in April 2006; then entering into the U.S. Government’s Senior Executive Service in November 2012.