Mr. Bryan J. Ellis is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs. In this role, he is responsible for developing defense strategy and policy on issues pertaining to the nations and international organizations in Africa, their governments and defense establishments; and for overseeing security cooperation and foreign military sales programs in Africa.

Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Ellis served within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (OUSD(I&S)) from 2023-2025,  as the Chief of Staff of the National and Compartmented Programs Office.

Before OUSD(I&S), Mr. Ellis served as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)’s Acting & Deputy GEOINT Mission Manager for Counterproliferation. He also served as a Deputy Crisis Manager during the initial phase of the Russia-Ukraine crisis to lead NGA’s response to national requirements.   

Mr. Ellis previously served on the National Security Council (NSC) staff as the Director for Intelligence Programs where he coordinated the development of policies, strategies, and frameworks related to the President’s sensitive programs.

Prior to his time on the NSC staff, Mr. Ellis served in the National Counterterrorism Center’s Directorate of Strategic Operational Planning, where he focused on coordinating national counterterrorism policies, strategies, plans, and assessments for Africa. He also assisted in developing and coordinating U.S. direct action policy.

Mr. Ellis also served as the Lead Geospatial Officer and Acting & Deputy Operations Chief within the NGA Office of Counterterrorism, focusing on Africa and South Asia; and as a Geospatial Analyst covering foreign military combat capabilities.

Before his federal service, Mr. Ellis worked as a Geographic Information Systems analyst supporting the U.S. Army. He holds a B.S. in Geography from Arizona State University.