A spy by luck: the case file on CIA's Jeanne Tisinger
Editor's note: In the Security Clearance "Case File" series, CNN national security producers profile key members of the intelligence community. As part of the series, Security Clearance is focusing on the roles women play in the U.S. intelligence community
By Pam Benson
You don't really expect to simply fall into the spy business, but for Jeanne Tisinger, that's pretty much how it happened.
She was a business major at George Mason University, looking for some experience in her field while continuing her studies. She joined the college's work-study program and, much to her amazement, her first interview was with the Central Intelligence Agency.
"I was surprised they were even hiring co-op students," she says. "Why would they want a college kid to come into their version of campus? I wasn't sure what they were going to do with me. Then there was, of course, a part of me that was. wow, the mystique of the CIA - what better place to start. It was just kind of a bit of a wide-eyed wonder."
That was nearly three decades ago.
"I'm the classic story of sometimes it's better to be lucky than good," Tisinger says.
She's still with the agency, rising through the ranks to become the CIA's first female chief information officer nearly two years ago. Her job is to oversee the CIA's vital information technology systems and coordinate information-sharing.
Managing IT may not be a traditional spy role, but don't say that to Tisinger. She pushes back on the notion that she's not a spook.
"My DNA is shaped as an intel officer first. So I actually don't see myself as a business major or a technologist, or I should say I don't define myself that way. I see myself as an intel officer. All of us are here to support the intel mission."
Even becoming a CIA technologist had a bit of luck involved. In the mid '80s, personal computers were hardly common place at work or home, but Tisinger was given an assignment to develop a workforce handbook, and one of her tools was this new piece of technology.
"They gave me this PC, I liked it, I was good at it and by the way (there was) no one else around me - there weren't a whole lot of people to compete against in that field."
Being in the right place at the right time led Tisinger down a new career path. "It's good to get in first, to get in early," she says.
It was a growth business with lots of opportunities for a technically proficient officer.
But it was also a male-dominated field.
Women were in a minority and as Tisinger looks back on the early days, she says the environment wasn't as friendly.
"I sometimes felt that there was a sense by some of my bosses that I was only here temporarily rather than in it for the long run."
She tells the story of an incident that occurred after she took her first leadership position.
"I was the chief and I think there was one other woman and, I think, probably five or six men that were on the program. They were all these big, tall guys, way over six feet. I'm like five-two. We were doing a program management review with this particular commercial company and we were in the company's space," she remembers.
"There's a big long conference table. The government (staff) comes walking in and the men are all sitting at the table and I come sit down. And the vendor program manager of the company was just addressing the men of the audience. I'm like, 'Hello, I would be the chief.'"
The lesson Tisinger learned from the incident: "Sometimes you have to assert yourself in more obvious and direct ways."
The CIA had two separate IT systems, one to support overseas posts and another to handle technology for the Washington metro area. In 2000, Tisinger was asked to participate on the team tasked with joining the systems.
"We needed to create one organization and one global network, and basically (create) a mesh community of technology providers that support everyone across the globe."
That meant battling an internal culture, especially among the overseas contingent that liked being separate.
Now that she is the CIO - a position she assumed in July 2010 - Tisinger will use that experience to help out the overall intelligence community.
The spy agencies are not immune to the budget constraints facing the U.S. government as it tries to dig itself out of massive deficits.
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said last fall he expects to make significant savings by integrating the community's IT infrastructure. Most of the 16 members of the intelligence community have separate systems.
Tisinger says the intelligence community has vast amounts of data to analyze, and integrating systems will make it easier for the collectors and the analysts to connect with their counterparts.
"It's about lowering the barriers for collaboration and knowledge across the (intelligence community). If you can unify the underlying foundation, that will help."
Tisinger says the CIA will be the principle provider for key portions of the new IT infrastructure.
"Collaborative to a point, and then I make a decision" is the way Tisinger describes her management style. "You can't study it to death. You have to set a direction, approve a plan, execute and adjust."
Tisinger also tries to focus her time on the most important issues not necessarily the most urgent.
"You can't get caught up in the tyranny of the inbox. If you only focus your personal time on the urgent, you'll be a gerbil in a cage. You've got to be able to lift your head up, look out a couple of years and say what are the most important things we need to get done."
Has she ever thought of leaving the organization she never expected to join in the first place? Tisinger says there were a couple of times she considered going to private industry, but didn't.
The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States became a defining moment for her.
"As I think about my job, as a CIO, it's all about the information we can bring to bear. I can directly tie what I do, what my people do, to keeping this country safe and keeping my family safe," Tisinger says.
"I believe we have a very noble purpose and I find that very motivational. It is something that I genuinely feel, and that is the kind of tugging at the heartstrings of my workforce to make them feel such a critical part of the intelligence mission. It's a good career."
@natlsecuritycnn on Twitter
http://myfilecabinet.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
I really like looking through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for permitting me to comment!
http://ssomgmt.ascd.org/profile/createsso/CreateSSO.aspx?returnurl=http://forkliftswildwestlifttrucks.com/walk-behind-forklift-repair-orange-county-california
http://azlan.techdata.com/InTouch/GUIBnrT3/BnrTrackerPublic.aspx?CountryCode=18&BannerLangCulture=nl-nl&URL=http://forkliftswildwestlifttrucks.com/chino-forklifts&Target=2&BannerId=41919&Zoneid=281&Parameters=&cos=Azlan
http://newhackcity.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://www.ptc.gov.np/index.php/site/language/swaplang/1/?redirect=https://affordableranking.com/
You're so interesting! I do not think I've truly read through something like this before. So nice to discover another person with original thoughts on this subject matter. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing that's needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
http://affiliate.joomla-monster.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=789&url=http://forkliftswildwestlifttrucks.com/chino-hills-forklifts/
https://tadagatadalafil.com/ where to buy tadalafil on line https://apcalisetadalafil.com/ – cheapest tadalafil cost tadalafil online
tadalafil generic canada generic tadalafil where to buy generic cialis online safely tadalafil cost walmart https://tadalafilol.com/
Next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn't disappoint me just as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read through, nonetheless I genuinely thought you would probably have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something you could fix if you were not too busy searching for attention.
https://www.ehso.com/ehsord.php?URL=http://affordableranking.com
https://www.lifetree.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
cost of cialis cialis cost side effects of tadalafil tadalafil generic https://apcalisetadalafil.com/ – tadalafil brands
http://tremblant.ca/Shared/LanguageSwitcher/ChangeCulture?culture=en&url=https://affordableranking.com
combigan side effects brimonidine dosage
This site certainly has all of the info I needed about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
http://www.matomex.com/dir/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=1406&url=https://v3flatbreadpizza.com/blog/index.php/2018/05/22/4-fun-date-night-ideas-in-pittsburgh/
There is certainly a great deal to find out about this subject. I like all of the points you have made.
https://www.chaosns.com/link.php?url=https://www.sidsplumbing.co.uk/shop/intra-bottom-inlet-concealed-cistern/
https://tadalafilww.com/ tadalafil price walmart tadalafil side effects tadalafil daily online where to get tadalafil
cialis soft tabs canadian pharmacy http://rcialisgl.com/ cialis from india
very nice! Ireally like your blog
https://www.google.com/maps?cid=13844760278657541606
this is very informative and intersting for those who are interested in blogging field.
https://checkpointforarts.com/members/linklumber7/activity/399002/
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering troubles with your RSS. I don’t understand why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone else having similar RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
https://cadu.ifac.edu.br/cas/login?service=http3A2F2Faffordableranking.com&gateway=true
testeur de viagra https://llviagra.com/ viagra commercial bathtub
cost of cialis https://tadagatadalafil.com/ – cialis at canadian pharmacy lowest price cialis tadalafil what is tadalafil
cialis in usa http://cialisee.com/ original cialis
Hi! I just want to give you a big thumbs up for the great information you have here on this post. I am returning to your blog for more soon.
http://www.zerocarts.com/demo/index.php?url=https://ocrvcenter.mobi/rv-repair-shop-north-hollywood-california
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a online game where you can do anything you want. Second life is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these second life authors and blogs
http://myvedana.blogspot.com/2010/04/sense-of-ones-place.html?m=0
I used to be able to find good info from your content.
http://dresscircle-net.com/suteki/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=633&url=http://ocrvcenter.com/rv-repair-shop-moreno-valley-california/
https://navi-ohaka.com/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=1&url=https://ocrvcenter.com/rv-repair-shop-redondo-beach-california
online pharmacy ordering http://xlnpharmacy.com/ trusted online pharmacy
I could not resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
https://click.start.me/?url=https://theocrv.com/rv-repair-shop-bell-gardens-california
I'd like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I'm hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own blog now 😉
http://content.xyou.com/click.php?aid=88&url=https://insception.com/cord_blood_news/veterinarian-believes-cord-blood-stem-cell-therapy-can-help-horses/
I needed to thank you for this very good read!! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have got you bookmarked to look at new stuff you post…
http://sns.lilyenglish.com/link.php?url=ocrvcenter.com/rv-repair-shop-toluca-lake-california/
https://asi.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=https://ocrvcenter.com/rv-repair-shop-south-pasadena-california
http://matomex.com/dir/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=375&url=http://www.affordableranking.com
http://navi-ohaka.com/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=1&url=ocrvcenter.com/rv-repair-shop-jurupa-valley-california/
Having read this I believed it was extremely informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
https://iaccmeetings.com/Redirect.aspx?destination=https://ocrvcenter.com/motorhome-restoration-near-me
https://pram.elmercurio.com/Logout.aspx?ApplicationName=EMOL&l=yes&SSOTargetUrl=https://ocrvcenter.com/rv-repair-near-me/
https://www.iaccmeetings.com/Redirect.aspx?destination=https://drmichaellong.com/dental-infections/
herb viagra http://loxviagra.com/ – best way to take viagra viagra generic over the counter
This is the right blog for anybody who hopes to understand this topic. You know a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a subject that has been discussed for ages. Excellent stuff, just great!
/
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful article. Many thanks for providing this info.
https://searchpoint.net/redir.asp?reg_id=pTypes&sname=/search.asp&lid=1&sponsor=RES&url=https://ocrvcenter.com/rv-bathroom-repair-near-me/
viagra reviews http://jokviagra.com/ viagra drug class
I really like it when individuals get together and share thoughts. Great website, stick with it!
http://eromoe.com/search/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=198&url=https://www.childrensermons.com/joseph-portugues/
http://rickmercer.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
canadian pharmacies mexican pharmacy canada pharmacies online
buy cyclomune usa cyclomune eye drops 1%
There is definately a great deal to know about this topic. I like all of the points you've made.
http://d-click.alterdata.com.br/u/15028/1120/88002/2068_0/6d5c3/?url=http://ocrvcenter.com/bus-repair-near-me
mexican pharmacy best online canadian pharmacy online pharmacy group
I don't know about you all but I love airplanes. I have a friend in highschool that loves airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2010/04/breaking-midwest-and-frontier-has-a-new-name-frontier-airlines/
http://urlm.co/g/c/f/163871
buy cialis and receive in 48 hrs http://cialisee.com/ online cialis florida delivery
http://bbs.cfish.idv.tw/link.php?url=postfallsmarketing.com/
http://trace.zhiziyun.com/sac.do?zzid=1337190324484706304&siteid=1337190324484706305&turl=https://michaelberland.com/2015/07/01/are-immigration-comments-hurtin-donald-trumps-brand/
http://wtk.db.com/777554543598768/optout?redirect=http://ocrv.rocks/rv-repair-shop-indio-california
http://p113831.typo3server.info/index.php?id=34&type=0&jumpurl=https://commercialrepairshop.com/extended-van-repair-shop-near-me/
This is the right site for anyone who hopes to find out about this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a subject that's been written about for decades. Great stuff, just great!
https://www.usdf.org/e-trak/asp/forward.asp?id=354&FPath=https://ocrv.info/rv-lighting-repair-near-me
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who was conducting a little research on this. And he actually ordered me dinner simply because I found it for him... lol. So let me reword this.... Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to talk about this subject here on your web page.
https://www.podcastone.com/site/rd?satype=40&said=4&aaid=email&camid=-4999600036534929178&url=http://ocrvart.com/rv-repair-shop-walnut-california
https://intranet.secure.griffith.edu.au/s/redirect?rank=10&collection=on-campus-search&url=http://ocrv.org/rv-shower-repair-near-me
https://domaindirectory.com/policypage/privacypolicy?domain=ocrvcenter.com/rv-repair-shop-baldwin-park-california/
cialis without prescription https://ucialisdas.com/ buy cialis cheap online
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these Second Life authors and blogs
http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2014/05/imagination-wanted-mobile-devices-in.html?showComment=1476947345982
http://yamato4u.cside.com/ys4/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=1809&url=https://ocrvcenter.com/motorhome-bathroom-repair-near-me
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this article plus the rest of the website is extremely good.
https://client.paltalk.com/client/webapp/client/External.wmt?url=https://fleetservicerepairshop.com/ram-cargo-van-repair-shop-near-me/
http://sns.lilyenglish.com/link.php?url=http://ocrvcenter.com/rv-repair-shop-warner-center-california/
This website certainly has all the information I needed about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
http://f001.sublimestore.jp/trace.php?pr=default&aid=1&drf=13&bn=1&rd=https://ocrv.guru/rv-furniture-repair-near-me
http://naniwa-search.com/search/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=23&url=bjsnearme.com
order generic cialis by phone https://rcialisgl.com/ cialis for sale in canada
This website truly has all the information and facts I wanted concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
http://tours.imagemaker360.com/Viewer/Feature/Schools.asp?URL=https://internetmarketingsupply.com/
generic cialis? http://ucialisdas.com/ cialis online fast
http://www.10lowkey.us/UCH/link.php?url=https://webdesignpostfalls.com
http://loglink.ru/catalog/jump/?card_id=593&url=https://internetmarketingnevada.com
https://www.audio-iwasaki.com/ys4/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=1551&url=https://hotnewsindia.com/earthquake-turkey-iran/
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article! It's the little changes that produce the largest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
https://lnk.bio/go?d=http://spokanevalleyseo.com/
comprar viagra https://loxviagra.com/ viagra prices
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a online game where you can do anything you want. Second life is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these Second Life websites and blogs
http://adolit.blogspot.com/2009/10/multimodality-and-learning-conference.html
viagra essential oil http://jokviagra.com/ viagra blood pressure
https://www.mnogo.ru/out.php?link=http://internetmarketingidaho.com/
/
After I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a means you are able to remove me from that service? Thank you!
https://www.eromoe.com/search/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=198&url=https://www.ocrv.tv
Great information. Lucky me I recently found your blog by accident (stumbleupon). I have saved it for later!
http://www.discovertuscany.com/forum/redirect-to/?redirect=https://nevadapwcrentals.com/
This is the right site for everyone who hopes to understand this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic that's been discussed for many years. Excellent stuff, just great!
http://track.affsrc.com/track/clicks/3171/c627c2b89e0522dbfe9cbd2e8d2b8914736245cb75e9f0ab416db1046005?t=internetmarketingoregon.com/
You are so cool! I don't suppose I've truly read a single thing like this before. So wonderful to discover someone with a few unique thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with some originality!
http://www.iaccmeetings.com/Redirect.aspx?destination=https://hootnholler.net
https://phototo.com.ua/uk/redirect-to-site?client_id=258&url=https://bettersightovernight.com
https://www.sunzu.com/link/?url=sanmarinoroof.com
https://www.ics.org/Wasabi/Common/Logout.aspx?Returnurl=https://sunglasseseyedoctorsoptometristphoenixaz.com/
I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loves airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2010/07/video-pan-am-introduces-jet-service/
http://www.doc-txt.com/Boeing-Everett-Museum.pdf
I blog frequently and I truly thank you for your content. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your website and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed too.
https://go.onelink.me/v1xd?pid=Patch&c=Mobile Footer&af_web_dp=https://assistedlivingseniorcarepalmdesert.com
cialis in manitoba https://rcialisgl.com/ cialis usa
You are so cool! I do not believe I've read through anything like this before. So great to discover someone with unique thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
https://www.aurora.network/redirect?url=https://ocrvcenter.com/
Topamax http://xlnpharmacy.com/ Arcoxia
This site was... how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Many thanks!
https://www.iaai.com/VehicleInspection/InspectionProvidersUrl?name=AA Transit Pros Inspection Service&url=http://maseratiforum.net/
/
I don't know about you all but I infatuated with airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2009/07/united-airlines-completes-10000th-polar-flight/
http://prlog.ru/analysis/futureofflightfoundation.org
bookmarked!!, I really like your blog!
http://kite-rider.com/0link/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=178&url=https://fleetautorepairshop.com/box-truck-wrap-shop-near-me/
http://enseignants.flammarion.com/Banners_Click.cfm?ID=86&URL=www.commercialrepairshop.com/chevrolet-luxury-van-repair-shop-near-me
cialis generic http://cialisee.com/ canadian online pharmacy no prescription cialis dapoxetine
Great web site you have here.. It’s difficult to find high quality writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!
https://b49t.com/cn/redirect.php?url=https://club-maserati.com
Your style is unique compared to other people I've read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I'll just book mark this site.
http://site-navi.net/sponavi/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=890&url=https://fleetrepairshops.com/box-truck-windshield-replacement-shop-near-me
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these second life articles and blogs
http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2010/04/vale-malcolm-mclaren-its-wrecked-my-day.html
This is a topic that is near to my heart... Many thanks! Exactly where are your contact details though?
http://scga.org/Account/AccessDenied.aspx?URL=http://club-maserati.com
https://clixgalore.com/NoRedirect.aspx?ID=11387&AfID=225385&BID=111815&ER=1&RU=https://sprintervanrepairshop.com/sprinter-van-technician-shop-near-me
http://ffatsearch.com/search/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=9636&url=http://sprintervanrepairshop.com/semi-truck-collision-repair-shop-near-me