Joe Mazur

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Throughout my career I’ve worked in organizations with a mission-first culture. That continues at Nightwing where the high-stakes nature of the mission means our products need to work without fail. When the President and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff refer to the non-kinetic component of current operations, there’s a satisfaction in knowing that what we do has an impact. I enjoy the camaraderie of the Nightwing team and the support of the corporate leadership in building an agile company that is responsive to our customers.

What’s one piece of advice you would offer somebody new to the field?

You have to be willing to take chances in your career. As a young Air Force Captain I answered my phone and, on the spot, accepted an offer to work in a classified program office on the other side of the country. That decision changed the trajectory of my career and allowed me to work with one of the best mentors I’ve had. I was given the opportunity at a very early point in my career to earn an unlimited Contracting Officer warrant, and the responsibility of managing the acquisition of several highly classified, multibillion-dollar space control programs. I also developed a network of peers and senior leaders that I’ve been able to lean on for advice throughout my career.

What’s one piece of advice you are still trying to master?

I need to consciously think about and practice active listening. I don’t always listen to understand, I’m thinking about my reply. I need do this to be a better team player, it’s critical for the success of the group. I’m lucky that I have colleagues who understand that my communications style isn’t always the best and that I am working on it.

Who are your mentors?

I’ve had, and continue to have, great mentors. I’m always interested in receiving good career advice, even as I’m at a point in my career where I’m often a mentor myself.  I’m inspired by people who continue to actively learn and grow in their career. I appreciate receiving interesting articles about new technologies and recommendations for good books to read. One early mentor, an Air Force Colonel and program office director, had me write out a 20-year life plan, when I was about 30 years old. I still have it, and the crazy part is that my plan was to culminate my career as the Director of Contracting at a defense agency. I actually did that – I was the SES Director of Contracting at DARPA. I don’t think I would have seriously considered interviewing for that position except that it was in the plan.

Can you describe a skill you have carried throughout your career that has always proved to be valuable?

Most of my career was spent as an acquisition leader, either as a Contracting Officer or Program Manager. I found that the ability to negotiate contracts and agreements was one of the skills that I’ve carried throughout my career.  Negotiating requires a lot of active listening, strategic thinking and planning, and team problem solving. It can’t be a zero-sum game. It’s difficult, time consuming, often frustrating, but the satisfaction from reaching a mutual agreement is rewarding.  The focus is always on the delivery of mission capability to the customer.

What’s one thing you want to change within the Intelligence Community?

Throughout my career I’ve had the opportunity to work in many programs and offices that had the word “advanced” in their title. Generally, that meant working in organizations with a mission focused culture and developing cutting edge technology. It’s the fail-fast acquisition approach that embraces taking chances and forgiving mistakes. I would like everyone in the Intelligence Community to have the opportunity to work with leaders and organizations that give them the chance to experience delivering real mission impact to our IC and DoW warfighters.

What are your future career goals in the IC?

I plan to continue to learn and adapt to new technologies that are rapidly transforming the IC. AI tools are now becoming integrated into most collection and analysis. I’m learning about agentic AI and advanced analytics to manage workflows and data. We’re seeing significant transformation in our space-based and edge technology. It’s challenging to keep up with, but I enjoy seeing the increase in our ability to support our customers’ mission. 

What is your favorite movie, book, TV Show, or podcast?

I have two books that I’ve recently read that I’ve enjoyed. On a professional level, I met General Mike Guetlein at an INSA event last fall nd talked to him about what he was reading. He recommended “Danger Zone, the Coming Conflict with China” by Hal Brands and Michael Beckley. That book has helped me understand the complex geopolitical world that we live in, the history of recent conflict, and options for confronting a peaking China. If you work in national security, you’ll come away from the book with an idea that you’re going to have job security in the next decade, but that you also need to understand the urgency of the changes needed to prevent armed conflict in INDOPACOM. The second book was “Die With Zero”, by Bill Perkins. I’m one of those guys that’s been working hard, saving, and planning on retirement at 65ish.  The book has changed my outlook on maximizing other aspects of my life in addition to work. I’m going with my family to Disney World for Spring Break, my daughter’s idea. I don’t think I would have done that if I hadn’t thought of the value of the experience over having the money in a retirement account.