| Author Info | - Katherine Hibbs Pherson, Chief Executive Officer of Pherson Associates, teaches and advises on the use of critical thinking skills and structured analytic techniques to intelligence analysts in the U.S. Governments Intelligence and Homeland Security Communities. Ms. Pherson and her company work directly with U.S. Government agencies and in partnership with a number of companies on strategic planning, security, and analysis projects for the U.S. Government. Ms. Pherson completed a 27-year career at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in intelligence and security analysis and resource management in 2000. Her leadership in the security arena led to the adoption of a risk management methodology, the strengthening and the implementation of overseas security countermeasures, and improvements in dealing with unsolicited contacts. As head of the Director of Central Intelligences Center for Security Evaluation, she managed the Intelligence Communitys involvement in rebuilding the penetrated U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Ms. Pherson received her A.B. in Hispanic Studies from Vassar College, an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics and Latin American Studies from the University of Illinois, and an M.A. in Communications from the University of Oklahoma. She is a recipient of the CIAs Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal and the Intelligence Communitys National Distinguished Service Medal. Randolph H. Pherson, the President of Pherson Associates, teaches critical thinking skills and advanced analytic techniques to analysts in the intelligence, homeland security, and law enforcement communities as well as in the private sector. Mr. Pherson completed a 28-year career in the Intelligence Community in 2000, last serving as National Intelligence Officer (NIO) for Latin America. Previously, at the CIA, Mr. Pherson managed the production of intelligence analysis on topics ranging from global instability to Latin America, served on the Inspector General's staff, and developed and implemented a strategic planning process for the CIA as Chief, Strategic Planning and Management Staff under the Deputy Director for Planning and Coordination (ExDir). He was involved in the development of several collaborative computer networks and was an active proponent of alternative futures analytic techniques. Mr. Pherson is the recipient of both the Distinguished Intelligence Medal for his service as NIO for Latin America and the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal. Mr. Pherson received his A.B. from Dartmouth College and an M.A. in International Relations from Yale University.
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