Institute for Defense Analyses taps Marrs to division director in Virginia

An awarding-winning professional with experience in “intelligence, cyber, and space arenas” is the new director of the Intelligence Analyses Division at the Institute for Defense Analyses in Alexandria, Virginia.

James Marrs started his role on Nov. 21, the IDA said in a release. Marrs replaced the former director, Rick Porterfield.

A private, nonprofit corporation, IDA finds solutions to “U.S. security and science policy questions,” its website said.

Established in 2007, the Intelligence Analyses Division that Marrs directs is among “eight research divisions in IDA’s Systems and Analyses Center,” the press release said.

A recipient of the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal and the United States Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Marrs was deputy director of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance before he entered his new role as IAD director, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Marrs leads “a team of highly skilled Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) researchers focused on a range of intelligence-related issues in support of the Department of Defense and the U.S. Intelligence Community,” Marrs’ LinkedIn profile said.

IDA President Norton Schwartz said in the press release that Marrs brings to his new role “substantial leadership experience.”

“He recently retired as a Major General in the United States Air Force where he had a distinguished career leading highly skilled and diverse teams solving national security challenges,” Schwartz said in the press release.

Marrs was director of intelligence at the United States Cyber Command and director of intelligence for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“Marrs holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University and a master’s degree in airpower art and science from the Air University. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from the U.S. Air Force Academy,” the press release said.

Supporting the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, among others, IDA “works solely for U.S. Government agency sponsors on critical national security and science policy issues,” its website said.