Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Jerry McGinn

Dr. Jerry McGinn is the director of the Center for the Industrial Base and a senior fellow with the Defense and Security Department. He is one of the nation’s leading experts on industrial base, acquisition, government contracting, and security policy issues. Prior to joining CSIS, Jerry served as executive director of the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting at George Mason University, publishing over 70 influential reports, white papers, and commentaries. Prior to GMU, Jerry served as the senior career official in the Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy in the Department of Defense (DoD), leading efforts to analyze the capabilities of the defense industrial base. He also directed hundreds of reviews of high-profile mergers and acquisitions as well as transactions before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. Before his service in DoD, Dr. McGinn spent a decade in senior defense industry roles at Northrop Grumman, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and QinetiQ North America. Prior to industry, Dr. McGinn served as special assistant to the principal deputy undersecretary for policy in DoD and as a political scientist at RAND. Dr. McGinn is also a widely acclaimed thought leader and has testified numerous times before the U.S. Congress and the UK House of Commons. Dr. McGinn served with distinction as an infantry officer and is a graduate of Ranger and Airborne Schools. He earned a PhD, MS, and MA from Georgetown University as well as a BS from the United States Military Academy.

Programs & Projects

Areas of Expertise

In the News 8 of 9 results

Show More

All Jerry McGinn Content

Filter by

1 - 9 of 9 results

Who Controls the Wrench: The Debate Over the “Right to Repair”

It is often a challenge for the government to repair its own equipment because it lacks access to the intellectual property necessary for sustainment. But there are pros and cons to the government having the right to repair.

Critical Questions by Jerry McGinn and Audrey Aldisert — November 6, 2025

What to Expect from Secretary Hegseth’s November 7 Speech on the Arsenal of Freedom

Secretary Hegseth’s upcoming “Arsenal of Freedom” address signals a possible historic shift in U.S. defense acquisition and the industrial base—aimed at undoing decades of consolidation, revitalizing industrial capacity, and reforming how the Pentagon delivers capabilities to the warfighter.

Commentary by Jerry McGinn — November 5, 2025

Audio Briefs

How Does the Government Shutdown Impact the U.S. Industrial Base?

An audio version of "⁠How Does the Government Shutdown Impact the U.S. Industrial Base?⁠," a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Jerry McGinn, Katy Buda, and Audrey Aldisert. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Jerry McGinn, Katy Buda, and Audrey Aldisert — October 6, 2025

Audio Briefs

How Does the Government Shutdown Impact the U.S. Industrial Base?

The government shutdown will have a substantial impact on the industrial base. While work will continue on contracts that are already funded, no new obligations of funds are permitted unless tied to an excepted activity. 

Critical Questions by Jerry McGinn, Katy Buda, and Audrey Aldisert — October 6, 2025