Matthew Olsen, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, will retire from the role after three years of service in leading the government’s counterterrorism efforts across the intelligence community and law enforcement agencies.
“Matt and the dedicated professionals he has led at the NCTC have been absolutely critical to our success in disrupting terrorist cells, thwarting attacks and protecting the American people from evolving threats at home and abroad,” President Barack Obama said in a statement posted Wednesday on the White House website.
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper also commended Olsen for his work with an interagency team to guide U.S. decision-makers in taking  action against terrorist threats.
Olsen joined NCTC in 2011 after service as general counsel and chief legal officer for the National Security Agency and principal legal adviser to its director.
He also previously served as associate deputy attorney general at the Justice Department, executive director of the Guantanamo Review Task Force, assistant attorney general for national security and special counsel to the FBI director, among other legal positions.
