Joe Kent
Joseph Kent serves as the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). In this role, Kent leads the U.S. counterterrorism and counternarcotics enterprise and serves as the principal counterterrorism advisor to the President.
Kent is an Oregon native and a graduate of Norwich University in Strategic Defense Analysis. He served in the U.S. Army for 20 years, where he completed 11 combat deployments in the Middle East and other high-threat regions. During his time in the Army, he served with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Army Special Forces and U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and received numerous military commendations, including six bronze stars. After retiring from the Army in 2018, he served as a paramilitary officer in the CIA’s Special Activities Center.
Kent and his family have devoted their lives to counterterrorism and keeping the American people safe. In 2019, his wife, Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, was killed in a suicide bombing while serving in Syria. It is her legacy and sprit, along with countless other men and women who we have lost in the war on terror that drives the mission at NCTC.
As Director of NCTC, Kent is working to refocus counterterrorism efforts to protect the American people and our servicemembers, at home and abroad, against our most pressing terrorist threats. His experience at the tip of the spear—in some of the world’s most dangerous places—has given him a deep, practical understanding of the threats we face and how to defeat them. Using a whole-of-government approach to carry out President Trump’s border security mandate and protect the safety and security of the American people against new and emerging threats, Kent is leading the next generation in the fight against terrorism.
Currently, he lives with his wife Heather, who is a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, and their two sons.
Any suspected criminal or terrorist activity should be reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
These links are provided subject to the ODNI privacy policy. By accessing these websites, you are leaving the NCTC website and your communications are no longer covered by the NCTC privacy policy.
Molly Broderick
Molly Broderick serves as the Executive Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), bringing extensive experience in strategic leadership, communications, and operational coordination to the role. With a proven track record in managing high-stakes initiatives, she has advised senior leadership in both public and private sectors, driving organizational efficiency and stakeholder collaboration. Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairfield University, her work spans strategic communications, program development, and crisis response, including roles in global health, humanitarian operations, and support programs for Veterans and Gold Star families. Driven by a deep sense of patriotism and a commitment to keeping America safe, Ms. Broderick considers it an honor to serve in this role, where her ability to foster interoperability and lead cross-functional teams helps to ensure the NCTC’s mission of countering terrorism is executed with precision and impact.
Email Us
For general questions email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mailing Address
National Counterterrorism Center
Washington, DC 20511
Joseph Weirsky
Joe Weirsky serves as the Deputy Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). He brings nearly three decades of operational and intelligence experience from the U.S. Marine Corps and the Intelligence Community. In his current role, he guides the Center’s efforts to analyze and integrate all intelligence related to terrorism and to drive whole-of-government strategic operational planning to protect the nation from terrorist threats.
Mr. Weirsky grew up in New Jersey where he enlisted into the Marine Corps and served for 26 years retiring in 2020 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant. After attending boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina and graduating the School of Infantry, he served at Marine Barracks 8th & I, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, and then spent 15 years serving within the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. His military career spanned the Global War on Terror era with multiple deployments, multiple combat deployments, and other worldwide operations, for which he earned several personal and combat awards. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he spent 5 years in private industry, most recently serving as a Chief Operating Officer prior to joining NCTC.
Dedicating a significant portion of his career to military service, Mr. Weirsky specialized in counterterrorism and national security operations aimed at confronting the United States’ most dangerous adversaries. Over the years, he played a key role in identifying emerging threats from hostile nations and non-state actors alike, contributing to strategic missions both at home and abroad. His expertise in combat operations, intelligence analysis, threat assessment, and operational leadership earned him recognition for his unwavering commitment to protecting the American people and safeguarding the homeland.