Jim Kren serves as an interim Deputy Director for Research at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) and leads the Sensors & Intelligent Systems Directorate (SISD). The directorate’s research and development emphasizes sensors, networks of sensors, and autonomous systems. The products of SISD’s applied research range from physics-based models and complex simulations to component technologies, to representative prototypes and specialized fielded systems. 

Jim served as a Deputy Chief Operating Officer providing strategic oversight and guidance for day-to-day operations of the research institute. He also previously served as interim Deputy Director for Research, Electronics, Optics, and Systems.

Prior to joining GTRI, Jim was a member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service – formerly serving as Acting Deputy Director of the Secretary of the Air Force’s Concepts, Development, and Management Office where he was responsible for enterprise operations across an applied research and operations organization. Jim also served as Director, Systems Development where he advised Department of Defense and Air Force leadership on emerging technologies, policies, programs, operational requirements, and critical technology protection. He led concept and technology development activities and delivered artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities to key missions. He was also responsible for the Department of the Air Force’s Counter-Insider Threat Program Management Office.

Jim served as Deputy Director, Defense Security Service and was the principal advisor and consultant to the Director of DSS. He formulated policy, managed agency resources, partnered with defense industry, and led operational activities to accomplish DSS’s mission. He also served as the General Manager of the Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation Systems Agency, North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Brussels, Belgium where he directed the agency’s mission of enabling and enhancing multinational intelligence sharing, collaboration, and exchange. Jim served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Jim holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and a master’s degree from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. He also completed the CAPSTONE General and Flag Officer Course at the National Defense University.