Member Spotlight: Gerald McMahon

Today we're spotlighting Gerald McMahon, who is also one of our AIA Board members.

Thanks for being a leader on the AIA, Gerry! We're excited to share your story with our membership and wider community. Let's start with your government career - can you tell us about your path to the FBI and your time in the Bu?

I started my federal service in 2002 with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Office for Law Enforcement (OLE). Shortly after starting there, however, I received the offer to join the FBI as an Intelligence Analyst and spent the next 22 years with the Bureau.

In 2003, I was lucky to be placed in the Counterterrorism Division’s International Operations Section. There I contributed to international terrorism investigations, primarily focused on al-Qa’ida. It was an exciting time and a phenomenal way to learn about the FBI, how headquarters supports the field, and how the Bureau works with domestic and international partners. In late 2006, I transferred to the Boston Field Office and was embedded on the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). In 2008, I became Boston’s first Domain Management Coordinator, helping stand up a new program focused on understanding threats and vulnerabilities in Boston’s area of responsibility.

In 2010, I was selected as a Supervisory Intelligence Analyst and appointed as Boston’s Intelligence Program Coordinator. In 2016, I was selected as Boston’s first Senior Supervisory Intelligence Analyst (SSIA), leading the Division’s entire Intelligence Branch, including all intelligence analysts, tactical specialists, linguists, and data analysts. In 2024, at the end of my term as SSIA, I rejoined the ranks of line analysts. In that role, I focused on strategic analysis related to advanced and emerging technologies and worked with the region’s academic institutions on, among other matters, protecting their research from foreign adversaries.

What made you want to become an IA?

Growing up I had always had an interest in government, history, and politics. Being a solid Gen-Xer, the FBI was often in the backdrop of my mind, either through depictions as smart, tough, and thoughtful protagonists in the Silence of the Lambs, the X-Files, or Twin Peaks, or seeing real life heroism in the Bureau’s response to the Oklahoma City and first World Trade Center bombings. Particularly post 9/11, I thought the analyst role would be an ideal position that combined these interests in a job devoted to public service, and from day one as an IA, that turned out to be true.

Whether helping to catch terrorists, spies, or violent criminals, being an Intelligence Analyst means using every bit of intellectual and creative horsepower you have to get the job done. It was an enormously rewarding career.

What were the highlights of your FBI IA career?

The one event that will always stick with me is the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. The cost of that awful attack included the loss of four lives and hundreds of people gravely injured. The response, however, by the FBI, law enforcement, first responders, the city, and the people of Massachusetts was inspiring. Seeing the entirety of the FBI committed to finding and bringing the perpetrators to justice was incredible. It reflected the amazing dedication and skill of an organization passionate about its mission. Though the circumstances were painful, it was an enormous privilege to be a small part of that effort.   

What did you do after leaving the FBI/government?

I have been fortunate to have several great opportunities since leaving the FBI. First, I was excited to join a private sector intelligence, investigative, and security company, W1 Global Inc. The company is primarily made up of former FBI personnel, so it was a natural fit. I co-led the Global Intelligence Office, helping W1 serve a broad range of domestic and international clients.

I was also elected to the FBI AIA’s board of directors. It was important to me to contribute to an organization which supports former FBI IAs and Staff Operations Specialists.

Having spent over 20 years helping build the FBI’s Intelligence Program, I want to continue advancing the intelligence mission and do what I can to help our colleagues and the profession.

What are you doing now?

I’m thrilled to have recently joined Harvard University as a Senior Research Compliance Officer. There, I work as part of a great team to support the University’s research security mission. I come into the role with some prior experience with the school. I worked with the University as FBI Boston’s academic liaison and was privileged to be a fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School from 2023-2024. I see supporting an incredible institution like Harvard as a continuation of public service.

I’m also continuing to research, write, and speak on the use of AI in intelligence analysis. This was the subject of my research during my fellowship at the Belfer Center. Just this past April, I was excited to share the stage with fellow AIA members at the Nashville Security Summit on a panel entitled, “Establishing AI Governance and Standards in Intelligence Operations.”

What piece of advice would you give those considering government service?

If you are looking for a way to make a difference, please sign up. If you are not sure which job is right for you, particularly if you are early in your career, focus on the agency or mission and not the role. Many people find the best position for them after getting their foot in the door, learning more about the agency, and then moving into a job that’s a good fit. That said, I knew the IA role was right for me from the start and am grateful to have been able to build a career in the profession. If you know what you want to do, go for it and apply.

What advice do you have for those thinking about a transition to the private sector?

Go out for coffee. By that I mean, have coffee with a lot of former colleagues to get a sense of what is out there, where you might fit in, and what you are and, just as importantly, are not interested in. Even before leaving, I was impressed with how generous former FBI, IC, and USG colleagues were with their time. Even folks that I did not personally know were more than willing to take a phone call, sit for coffee, and just chat. Take advantage of this amazing community and start getting a sense of where you might land.

What IA skills did you develop or further grow in your post-FBI IA role?

Post Bureau I have enjoyed taking on “player-coach” roles. These provide the rewarding aspects of leading a team while doing hands-on analysis at different levels. This requires being adept at tactical, operational, and strategic analysis, while engaging at all levels with clients and partners. There have been times when I have had to develop new technical skills or refresh some muscles that have not been used in a while, but it has allowed me to stay current, develop new capabilities and adapt to new domains.

What has been reassuring throughout this process is that the core skills at the heart of being an Intelligence Analyst – demonstrating critical thinking, being resourceful, exercising analytic tradecraft – have been the foundation of my success in every role.

Thank you for sharing your story, Gerry, and thank you for being a member and leader of the FBI AIA!