Page 1
Poindexter - Page 1 of 2
John M. Poindexter
Education
Ph.D., Physics, California Institute of Technology, 1964
M.S., Physics, California Institute of Technology, 1961
B.S., Engineering, U.S. Naval Academy, 1958
Experience Summary
Brings a unique blend of experience to problems from the highest levels of government to
the laboratory. Demonstrated exceptional management and command ability ranging
from naval operations to the national security of the United States. Noted for creative
solutions to difficult issues and ability to quickly grasp the essence of new tasks. Goal
oriented.
Professional Background
DARPA Information Awareness Office, Director
2002 - Present
The mission of the Information Awareness Office (IAO) is to imagine, develop, apply,
integrate, demonstrate and transition information technologies, components, and
prototype closed-loop information systems that will counter asymmetric threats (most
notably, terrorist threats) by achieving total information awareness: enabling preemption;
national security warning; and, national security decision making.
SYNTEK Technologies, Senior Vice President
1996 - 2002
SYNTEK is a small high technology firm with contracts in domestic and international
defense and commercial business. Poindexter was responsible for high-level advice on
management and direction of information systems projects (for example Defense
Advanced Research Project Agency's Project Genoa).
TP Systems, Inc., Co-founder
1990 - 1996
TP Systems was a software development firm specializing in commercial software for the
IBM PC's and compatibles. Poindexter was the chief designer and programmer.
Development included a symbolic debugger for multi-tasking environments, a BBS
communications program plus numerous utility programs.
Elkins Group, Consultant
1993 - 1996
Elkins was a business alliance with Electronic Data Systems (EDS), has developed Elkins
Interactive Training Network (EITN), a satellite based training delivery system that has
world-wide marketing potential. Poindexter was the Chairman of the Maritime Advisory
Committee and a member of the Board of Directors. He also provided advice on strategic
planning.
Presearch, Inc., Senior Scientist
1988 - 1989
Presearch had primarily been involved with defense studies and analysis. Faced with
anticipated defense budget reductions, Poindexter joined the firm to develop new
Page 2
Poindexter - Page 2 of 2
commercial enterprises. He designed and developed hardware and software for the
prototype of a digital real-time, imaging system to be used for physical security of high
value facilities. It was used to obtain a contract for nuclear power plant security system.
The White House
National Security Advisor
1985 - 1986
Dep. National Security Advisor
1983 - 1985
Military Assistant
1981 - 1983
Joining President Reagan's White House staff in 1981, Poindexter was responsible for
reviewing and improving the command and management systems to support The
President in national security crisis management. Under Poindexter's leadership a new
high technology crisis management center and secure video teleconferencing system were
conceived, developed and created which greatly enhanced The President's ability in this
vital area. As Deputy National Security Advisor, he was responsible for leading and
managing the National Security Council Staff and was Chairman of the Crisis Pre-
planning Group. As National Security Advisor, Vice Admiral Poindexter was
responsible for providing recommendations to The President on national security, foreign
policy and defense policy. He was directly involved in implementing The President's
policies on a strong defense, freedom and democracy around the world, human rights,
world hunger, economic and military assistance, combating terrorism and arms control.
Major events in which he played a significant role included: Strategic Defense Initiative,
Grenada Rescue Operation, Achille Lauro incident, Libyan Operation to respond to
terrorist attacks. Reykjavik Summit with Soviets, peaceful transition of government in
the Philippines, support for the democratic resistance in Nicaragua, and an attempt to
begin rationalization of U.S. relationship with strategically important Iran.
U.S. Navy, Numerous Positions
1958 - 1987
As Deputy Commander Naval Education and Training Command, amongst his duties of
commanding the U.S. Navy's extensive education and training programs, he initiated a
project to develop a distributed data base management system for more efficient
management of the training pipelines. When Commander of a destroyer squadron, he
was Surface Warfare and ASW Commander of battle groups in the Western Pacific and
Indian Ocean and developed new tactics and battle management procedures under the
Composite Warfare Commander concept. As Commanding Officer of a cruiser he
pioneered the shipboard use of computers to manage the ship's force portion of yard
overhauls. He has been an Executive Officer and a Chief Engineer of destroyers.
Significant staff assignments included: Executive Assistant to the Chief of Naval
Operations, Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy and Special Assistant
for Systems Analysis to the Secretary of Defense.
California Institute of Technology, Laboratory Assistant
1961 - 1964
Conducted laboratory research to further develop a model for understanding the
Mossbauer Effect with Nobel Laureate Rudolph Mossbauer.