The United States Coast Guard has named Frances Fragos-Townsend as its Director of Intelligence. In this position, Fragos-Townsend leads the service’s Intelligence Directorate, the Intelligence Coordination Center and act as program manager for the Coast Guard’s national intelligence effort. She is charged with enhancing inter-agency and maritime awareness in the war on terrorism. “The Coast Guard is widely respected by our intelligence, military and law enforcement partners for our multi-mission maritime capabilities,” said Fragos-Townsend. “Those partnerships and robust information sharing between agencies are key to our long term homeland security mission.” According to Fragos-Townsend, one of her first goals is to work with Coast Guard leadership and Area Commanders to establish intelligence priorities that will serve to enhance maritime operations.
“Intelligence should act as a force multiplier to assist in defining our mission focus and use of resources,” Fragos-Townsend said.
Before joining the Coast Guard, Fragos-Townsend spent thirteen years with the Department of Justice. Most recently, she served as the Counsel for Intelligence Policy reporting directly to the Attorney General. In that role, Fragos-Townsend was responsible for national security matters and facilitating the U.S. government’s activities pursuant to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
“Having a person with Ms. Fragos-Townsend’s qualifications join the Coast Guard is an asset to the service and the U.S. Department of Transportation,” said Vice Admiral Timothy W. Josiah, U.S. Coast Guard Chief of Staff. “Her knowledge and experience are crucial in strengthening relationships within the intelligence community to combat terrorism, drug trafficking, and migrant interdiction.”
Fragos-Townsend holds a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law, and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science and Bachelors of Science in Psychology from American University. She also attended Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and the University of San Diego’s Institute on International and Comparative Law in London, England.