Joseph M. Francescon
Joseph M. Francescon
Chief of Government Affairs
Joe brings over fifteen years of national security experience, ranging from service as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Department of Defense, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, and multiple senior roles in the White House and U.S. Intelligence Community. In 2022, he joined High Point Aerotechnologies, where he assists in the stewardship of civilian and military defense investments of Highlander Partners, L.P.
As the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Special Operations and Combating Terrorism (SOCT), Joe oversaw the development and implementation of DoD policies, strategies, and plans to conduct special operations, counterterrorism, and irregular warfare. Under Joe’s leadership, the Department issued the first-ever Irregular Warfare Annex to the National Defense Strategy, institutionalizing Irregular Warfare as a Department-wide priority and shaping future DoD acquisition, training, and force deployment priorities for the next decade. Joe is the recipient of both the Distinguished Public Service and Superior Public Service awards from DoD.
At the White House, Joe served on the National Security Council as the Senior Director for Counterterrorism and Transnational Threats and as a Director for Counterterrorism. In these roles, he advised the President, National Security Advisor, and White House Senior Staff, overseeing the coordination and implementation of strategic-level policy needs.
Joe began his government career as a civilian with the National Security Agency (NSA). At NSA, he served in a variety of roles focused primarily on counterterrorism and emerging technologies. His service included multiple overseas postings in East and West Africa and the Middle East. Joe is the recipient of the first-ever National Intelligence Counterterrorism Award from the Director of National Intelligence, and three Director of National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citations.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Miami University and possesses a Master of Sciences degree in Cybersecurity. At home in Washington, D.C., Joe volunteers as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters National Capital Area.