James L. Pavitt (born February 19, 1946) was Deputy Director for Operations (DDO) for the CIA from June 23, 1999, until July 12, 2004, when he resigned a day after George Tenet. The CIA said the resignations were for personal reasons.

Background

Pavitt was born in St. Louis, Missouri and graduated from the University of Missouri (B.A., 1968) in Columbia, Missouri as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. and was formerly on the board of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO).

He was married with two children (from a previous marriage) and resided in McLean, Virginia.

His hobbies included collecting art, especially primitive American art. He was expelled (PNG'd) from East Germany. He served as a Branch Chief in the Africa Division. From 1990 to 1993, he served on the National Security Council team under Brent Scowcroft as Senior Intelligence Advisor to President George H. W. Bush. After being assigned to work across the Agency operational/analytical divide in the Directorate of Intelligence, he became the founder and first Chief of the Directorate of Operation's Counterproliferation Division (CPD). Gordon Oehler, then Chief of the Directorate of Intelligence's Non-Proliferation Center, criticized this as being redundant and stepping on his turf. This was considered a specious critique by veteran Agency HUMINT Operations Officers, however, especially those who had been assigned under Oehler previously and realized that Oehler held HUMINT counterproliferation operations—indeed, covert operations in general—in considerable disdain. Pavitt hand picked operations officers, some of which were Nonofficial Cover Officers (NOCs) including Valerie Plame, to staff the CPD. In 2003, the CPD took down the nuclear black market being operated by Abdul Qadeer Khan.

When Bush put Porter Goss in charge of the agency, Pavitt reportedly opposed the internal reorganizations announced by Goss, on the ground that they might "do damage to a strategic effort that has produced excellent work on terrorism and a variety of other important issues." On June 4, 2004, he unexpectedly announced his retirement one day after George Tenet. The CIA said Pavitt's decision was unconnected with Tenet's departure. Pavitt was succeeded by his deputy, Stephen Kappes. On June 21, 2004, Pavitt delivered one of his last speeches as DDO to the Foreign Policy Association. He resigned in July 12, 2004, one day after of Tenet's resignation.

Pavitt is a recipient of the CIA's Distinguished Intelligence Medal. He is a director of CACI International, Inc.

  • Appointment of James L. Pavitt as Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, June 24, 1992
  • Transcript: Wednesday's 9/11 Commission Hearings, The Washington Post, March 24, 2004
  • In photos: Counterterrorism officials testify on IT challenges - Dan Verton of Computerworld, April 16, 2004
  • Press Release: CIA Deputy Director for Operations Announces Retirement, ODCI, McLean, VA. June 4, 2004
  • Ex-spy master praises CIAs effectiveness; MU graduate advises caution in revamping - Josh Flory of Columbia Daily Tribune, October 9, 2004
  • Ex-CIA Official Defends Detention Policies - Dana Priest of The Washington Post, October 27, 2004; Page A21
  • Retired Official Defends the CIA's Performance - Dana Priest of The Washington Post, November 5, 2004; Page A23
  • James L. Pavitt's Resume The Scowcroft Group

Speeches

  • Address to Duke University Law School Conference Jim Pavitt, Deputy Director for Operations, April 11, 2002
  • Remarks of Deputy Director of Operations James L. Pavitt on the 60th anniversary of the Office of Strategic Services, CIA's Predecessor, June 8, 2002
  • Remarks by the Deputy Director for Operations James L. Pavitt at the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security Breakfast Program, January 23, 2003
  • Posted Written Statement for the Record of James L. Pavitt, Deputy Director for Operations, before the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, April 14, 2004.
  • Remarks by Deputy Director for Operations James L. Pavitt Foreign Policy Association, June 21, 2004
  • America's Clandestine Service Foreign Policy Association, June 21, 2004

References