Alan Johnson - Institute for Security Governance
Faculty
Advising & Consulting

Faculty
Advising & Consulting
Mr. Alan Johnson joined the Institute for Security Governance (ISG) in September 2012 and serves as an Indo-Pacific Regional Program Lead for Advising & Consulting (A&C). Mr. Johnson manages Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) programs with partner nations in the areas of Human Resource Management, Intelligence/C4ISR, Strategy/Policy/Programming, Logistics, Joint Operational Concepts, and Resource/Financial Management. Mr. Johnson is currently the Country Program Lead for the Philippines and Taiwan, overseeing a broad portfolio that includes integration and employment of Manned/Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in support of Maritime Security and Counterterrorism missions; Force Modernization/Generation; Joint Logistics Support Concepts; Joint Fires Concepts; Operating Concept as the basis to build C2 & sustainment competencies for the SOCOM Commanders; and policies, strategies, and plans to support cyber security. Mr. Johnson has supported the implementation of ICB programs, technology, and defense systems/platforms in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Jordan, Yemen, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nepal, Cameroon, Chad, and Ethiopia.
Prior to joining ISG, Mr. Johnson served two years as a Senior Advisor to the Afghan Ministry of Defense under Operation Enduring Freedom and deployed under Operation Iraqi Freedom to assist the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq in the drawdown of US forces and transition of security. Mr. Johnson’s previous Federal career included leadership positions at the Office of the Secretary of Defense - Personnel and Readiness (OSD P&R), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In his role as Senior Advisor to the Afghan Ministry of Defense, Mr. Johnson assisted in the development of the HRM policies, programs, and legislation, including the first Retirement Law and the Inherent Law of Officers and NCOs (akin to Title 10 U.S.C), and the first Gender Integration, Human Rights, and Ethnic Balancing Office within the MoD. As principal advisor to the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Civilian Personnel Policy (DUSD CPP), Mr. Johnson oversaw all matters related to DoD civilians overseas, including the interpretation, formulation, and direction of policies and legislation. Under the direction of the Director of OPM, Mr. Johnson coordinated OPM’s policy initiative in the design, development, and implementation of innovative, flexible, and consistent benefits and compensation for Federal civilians serving in zones of armed conflict, a collaborative effort with DoD, DoS, and DoL. While at the FDA, Mr. Johnson helped deploy and effectively manage the FDA's Performance Management Appraisal Program to create a results-oriented, performance-based workforce and supported the FDA in managing a suite of Human Capital Management applications that automate and integrate succession planning, talent management, and leadership/knowledge management.
Mr. Johnson holds a Master of Business Administration from Duke University, a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University, and was a high school fellow at Yale University. Mr. Johnson received the United States Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award (Legion of Merit equivalent) in 2012 and the United States Army Superior Civilian Service Medal (Meritorious Service Medal equivalent) in 2011.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Change Management
- Security & Defense Policy & Strategy
- Human Resource Management
- Intelligence in Security
- Indo-Pacific