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 77 results

Show More

All Jerry McGinn Content

Filter by

1 - 10 of 53 results

U.S. and Allied Burden Sharing: A Progress Report

On this episode of All About the Base, Dr. Jerry McGinn discusses trends in defense spending and procurement across U.S. allies in Europe and East Asia, as well as joint efforts to manufacture munitions, sustain weapons systems, and stabilize critical supply chains. 

Event — September 8, 2026

U.S. and Allied Burden Sharing: A Progress Report

Allies are spending more, building stronger defense industries, and deepening cooperation—but the next era of burden sharing will depend on collective industrial capacity, not just defense budgets.

Report by Jerry McGinn and Celia Barrie — September 8, 2026

What SBA’s New Size Standards Could Mean for Small Businesses

The Small Business Administration has announced changes to its standards of what constitute a “small business,” allowing larger firms to access contracts, lending, and other opportunities reserved for small businesses. This Critical Questions analysis explores the new changes’ impact on competition, innovation, and existing small businesses in the federal contracting marketplace.

Critical Questions by Jerry McGinn and Oliver Buntin — September 8, 2026

Strengthening Australia's Weapons Sustainment Ecosystem

On this episode of All About the Base, Dr. Jerry McGinn unpacks the issue of resilience in the Pacific and ways to improve Australia's sustainment ecosystem with Mr. Jed Royal, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.

Event — August 31, 2026

How Quickly Can the DOD Rebuild and Recast the Munitions Industrial Base?

The U.S. munitions industrial base should be rebuilt and recast for modern wars of precision and attrition. What is a realistic timeline for this goal? By analyzing DOD budget documents and industry announcements, this analysis provides a clearer picture of the planned future.

Commentary by Jerry McGinn and A.J. Dilts — August 25, 2026

Are SBIR “Mills” Truly a Problem?

The Small Business Innovation Research Program has faced suggestions that a small number of “mills” receive a disproportionate share of awards while underperforming on innovation and commercialization metrics. An analysis of grant recipient data suggests this pattern reflects a division between specialized defense research contractors and dual-use venture-backed companies.

Commentary by Jacob Schwandt and Jerry McGinn — August 17, 2026

The Value of U.S. Land Power

Drones, AI, and long-range fires are reshaping warfare, but land power remains vital to achieving political and strategic objectives. CSIS’s Future of Land Power study examines why ground forces endure—and how they must adapt for future conflict as part of the joint force.

Commentary by Jerry McGinn and A.J. Dilts — August 17, 2026