Troy L. Littles serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), where he provides strategic leadership and oversees the day-to-day operations of one of the nation's premier applied research organizations. In this role, he leads operational units, guiding key functions including human resources, project management, capital planning, research security, facilities management, contract administration, machine shop services, strategic planning and organizational excellence. Working closely with senior leadership, he drives initiatives to enhance organizational performance and amplify research impact across GTRI's mission areas.

Before joining GTRI, Mr. Littles served as a member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service and Chief Operating Officer for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). There, he managed complex administrative, technical, and professional services within a multi-mission Department of Defense (DoD) organization, supporting over 12,000 personnel and multi-billion-dollar operations. He provided executive counsel on sensitive and high-impact matters, led enterprise-wide process improvements, and directed strategic planning and organizational transformation efforts.

Previously, Mr. Littles held several senior executive roles within the Defense Security Service (DSS), including Executive Director and Chief of Staff. As Executive Director, he led agency-wide strategic initiatives; as Chief of Staff, he oversaw operational planning and served as the DSS Insider Threat Senior Official in alignment with Executive Order 13587.

A decorated combat veteran, Mr. Littles retired from the U.S. Army after a distinguished 26-year career as a Military Intelligence Officer. His assignments included leading the J-39, Information Operations Division at NORAD/NORTHCOM and the Operations and Intelligence Support Division at the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, where he provided critical intelligence support to senior defense leaders. He is the recipient of numerous Joint, NATO, Army, and combat awards.

Mr. Littles holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Longwood University and a Master of Science degree from Kansas State University. His core areas of expertise include operational planning, national and research security, intelligence analysis, strategic communications, contract management, emergency management, and organizational transformation.

Throughout his career, Mr. Littles has been recognized for his ability to lead high-performing teams, drive innovation in mission-critical environments, and build cultures of excellence. He is deeply committed to advancing national security, supporting innovation in technology, and mentoring the next generation of research and defense leaders.

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