New National Counterintelligence Executive joins ODNI

New National Counterintelligence Executive joins ODNI

Feb. 22, 2012

Frank Montoya, Jr. has joined the Office of the Director of National Intelligence as the national counterintelligence executive.

Montoya joined the ODNI Feb. 6 from the FBI’s Honolulu Division where he was the special agent in charge.

“Frank has a long and distinguished career in national security, domestic, and foreign investigations and operations,” said Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper. “With more than twenty years experience countering threats to our economic, industrial and technological resources, Frank’s leadership will be critical as we continue to combat those who seek to undermine U.S. national interests.”


Montoya has worked and led counterintelligence efforts during several assignments including as the section chief of the Counterintelligence Division at FBI Headquarters and prior to that, as assistant special agent in charge of the Counterintelligence Branch at the San Francisco Field Office. He also participated in the establishment of the National Cyber Joint Task Force.

Montoya was born in San Diego and raised in San Francisco. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Brigham Young University and served in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer. He and his wife have four sons.

Montoya replaces Robert “Bear” Bryant who retired Jan. 15. Bryant had served as the NCIX since Sept. 2009.

“Bear’s leadership of the Intelligence Community’s counterintelligence and security programs ensured virtually no counterintelligence-related concern was left unaddressed,” said Clapper. “His outreach to public and private sector partners and his long list of counterintelligence accomplishments have made ONCIX a national asset, and caused significant changes in business practices within the government and private industry.”

The national counterintelligence executive under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, serves as the head of national counterintelligence for the United States Government. The Office of the National
Counterintelligence Executive sets the priorities for counterintelligence collection, investigations, and operations, and conducts in-depth espionage damage assessments. To ensure the effectiveness of these programs, ONCIX also performs periodic reviews of all U.S. counterintelligence programs, evaluates them against strategic and budgetary goals, and makes fiscal recommendations to the DNI.

Frank Montoya Career Highlights

Frank Montoya, Jr. began his career as an FBI special agent in May 1991 and reported to the San Antonio Field Office, where he worked violent crime and fugitive investigations. He established and led activities of the division’s fugitive task force. Montoya also worked temporarily in the Oklahoma City Field Office to assist in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing investigation.

In June 1996, Montoya transferred to the San Juan Field Office where he worked in the special operations group and served as a surveillance team leader on drug, violent crime, and national security cases. After San Juan, he was assigned to the Washington Field Office’s national security squad. Montoya participated in and led domestic and foreign investigations and operations.

In April 2000, Montoya was promoted and worked at FBI Headquarters. He oversaw national security investigations and operations. During this time, he assisted in the Robert Hanssen investigation. Montoya transferred to the Milwaukee Field Office in November 2002. He served as supervisor and oversaw the counterintelligence squad and several national security investigations.

Montoya returned to FBI Headquarters in December 2005, was promoted to unit chief in the Counterintelligence Division, and participated in the establishment of the National Cyber Investigations Joint Task Force. He moved to the West Coast in July 2007 and worked in the San Francisco Field Office as assistant special agent in charge in the counterintelligence branch.

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