James Herlong has been appointed Executive Officer at the NATO Integrated Mission Services Centre (NIMSC), part of the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency). He announced the move on LinkedIn, marking the latest step in a career that spans three decades of military service, government leadership, and private-sector expertise in cybersecurity, intelligence, and strategic development.
Based in Belgium, Herlong’s new role places him within NATO’s critical mission services arm, which supports secure communications and information systems across the alliance.
Before joining the NCI Agency, Herlong served as a consultant with Arete Consulting LLC and as Strategic Development Manager at Alutiiq, LLC. Earlier, he worked as a senior consultant for JPI, supporting the Coast Guard’s Command, Control, and Communications Engineering Center with secure communications modernization.
Herlong also spent much of his career in uniform with the U.S. Coast Guard, holding leadership roles in intelligence, cyber strategy, and emergency preparedness. He served as Deputy Division Chief for the Coast Guard Atlantic Area Operational Analysis Division, where he guided research and readiness planning across missions. He was also recalled to active duty to provide stabilized leadership during a pivotal time for operational strategy. His experience extended to working with FEMA Region III as an emergency preparedness liaison during major disasters, including Hurricane Sandy.
In addition, Herlong contributed to U.S. Cyber Command as Executive Assistant to the Director of Intelligence, where he coordinated with multiple combatant commands on cyber intelligence support. Earlier, as part of Coast Guard Cyber Command, he played a key role in developing the service’s first cyber strategy and advising leadership on emerging threats. His career began with operational intelligence work at the Coast Guard Intelligence Coordination Center, where he earned multiple commendations for his contributions to homeland security.
Herlong holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a Master’s in Information Systems from the University of Baltimore, a Master’s in Strategic Intelligence from the National Defense Intelligence College, and an MBA from William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business.
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