Member Spotlight: Dr. Charles Russo

Who are the FBI Association of Intelligence Analysts?

Our Member Spotlight series helps you to get to know the FBI AIA a little better.

One of our new members, Dr. Charles Russo, recently sat down with us to share his story.

Thank you, Dr. Russo, for being a valued member of the AIA and helping us shine the light on the talent of FBI Intelligence Analysts and the expertise across our AIA membership.

Dr. Russo, can you tell us about your career with the FBI?

I spent over 30 years in the U.S. Intelligence Community and the FBI as an Intelligence Analyst, culminating in GS-13 assignments in Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (TEDAC) and Complex Financial Crimes/Collection Management (SC DIV). Since retiring from government service, I’ve held senior roles in defense contracting (Leidos, SAIC), state education and juvenile services, and executive leadership in the private sector (COO, Quantum Wealth LLC). Concurrently, I’ve built a 15-year academic career as a full-time and adjunct faculty member, most recently as Instructor of Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity at Columbia Southern University, plus associate dean and program board member at National American University’s Henley-Putnam School.

Congratulations on an incredible career, and multiple careers at that. What made you want to become an IA?

Early in my Navy service, I saw how timely, accurate analysis could shape operations and save lives. That drive to apply rigorous, structured analytic tradecraft against the pressing threats of terrorism, financial crime, and cyber-enabled attacks propelled me into Intelligence Analysis and sustained my passion through three decades of service.

And thank you for your service! What were some of the highlights from your time as an IA?

I have several that come to mind...

While at TEDAC, I provided strategic and operational intelligence on improvised explosive devices, briefed military and civilian bomb-tech teams, and liaised with U.S. and allied partners to disrupt bomb networks.

Separately, as a Collection Management Coordinator in SC DIV, I directed diverse sources for complex financial-crime investigations, authored division-wide intelligence requirements and methodologies, and mentored junior analysts in source handling and structured analytic techniques.

And as a New Analyst counselor, I mentored new and junior analysts going through Quantico.

I remain deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of analysts and to innovating at the intersection of AI and intelligence tradecraft. I’m always eager to collaborate on research, training, or analytic-process improvements.

What is so fascinating is the diversity of your contributions throughout your career - your experience highlights how rich and multifaceted IA careers can be, and the different ways you can support the mission as well as the next generation of analysts. Where did you take your career after leaving the FBI?

I continued my public service while leaning on the skills I developed throughout my career to branch out in other ways. I served as a Specialized Skills Officer at Leidos supporting HUMINT targeting and counterterrorism collection management. I also joined the Nevada Department of Education to oversee a $32 million K-12 school-safety program and implement an anonymous tip line and emergency operations plans statewide. I also led operations as COO for a multi-million-dollar private-sector firm (Quantum Wealth LLC).

Currently I serve as a Juvenile Probation Officer in Rockwall County, TX (CSE-IT/P ACT assessments, residential placements, Title IV-E coordination). I am also a full-time Instructor of Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity courses at Columbia Southern University.

Additionally, I am a Program Advisory Board Member for National American University’s Henley-Putnam School, as well as a dissertation chair and committee member for doctoral candidates at several institutions.

You continue to do incredible work and showcase the art of the possible for those who have dedicated their lives to public service and intelligence. Do you have any advice for those considering working for the government?

Absolutely. Develop both your analytic tradecraft and your communication skills, the best analysis is lost if you can’t tell a clear story or build trust across agencies. Seek out mentors early and embrace structured analytic techniques (SATs) to guard against bias.

You have also demonstrated so much success in your government to private sector and academia career transition. Do you have any advice for those looking to make that transition now or in the future?

These are the three pieces of advice I would prioritize for those transitioning to the private sector or elsewhere outside of government:

1. Your network is your net worth—relationships you build in government will open doors in industry.

2. Translate your skills—learn to map your HUMINT, source-handling, and reporting skills into business-oriented deliverables.

3. Cultural adaptability—private sector pace and decision cycles differ; be ready to streamline processes and communicate in “business time.”

   
   

Those are fantastic tips, thank you! Is there anything else you'd like to share?

When you become an IA, you become a lifelong learner, and there are always new ways to grow and develop.

Here are some skills I developed after leaving the FBI:

• Generative AI integration into analytic workflows and educational simulations;

• Curriculum design for SATs, cybersecurity threat hunting, and advanced HUMINT tradecraft; and,

• Leadership in fusion of open-source, signals, and human source intelligence across multi-disciplinary teams.

Thank you, Dr. Russo, for your sharing your experience and advice, and thank you again service to our country!