Mr. Barlow was appointed the Chief Information Officer of the National Reconnaissance Office on 5 December 2006. Prior to his appointment he served as the Deputy Director, Communications Systems Acquisition and Operations Directorate (COMM) since October 2000.  In this capacity, he was responsible for the planning, development and daily management of NRO worldwide communications and information systems activities.  Prior to joining the NRO, he served as the Acting Deputy Director and Chief of Operations for the Office of Communications, Central Intelligence Agency.

Mr. Barlow began his career with the CIA in 1976, holding a variety of positions in communications systems engineering, operations and management, both within Agency Headquarters and foreign field environments.  He began his Agency career within the Office of Communications’ Engineering Group as an engineer and project manager, where he was responsible for developing the specifications and laying the foundation for the CIA switched secure voice network.  He also led projects in message switching and digital microwave network development.  In 1979, Mr. Barlow was the Chief of the Engineering Staff for Domestic Networks Division where he was responsible for providing technical support to the CIA domestic telecommunications network.  In 1981, he embarked on the first of two overseas assignments where he was Chief of an engineering branch supporting overseas communications systems.  He returned to the United States in 1983 and was assigned to a Special Program Office, first as the Chief, Design and Development Division and later as the Deputy Chief of the Communications Group, developing and implementing national intelligence communications contingency capabilities, including facilities and systems.  In 1986, Mr. Barlow returned to the Office of Communications to lead the Systems Engineering Division where he was responsible for establishing system-wide standards and communications systems network management processes and procedures.  In 1989, Mr. Barlow was assigned as Chief of the New Building Communications Program Office which later became the Network Engineering Division within the Office of Information Technology.  During this assignment, in addition to completing the new building communications system implementation, Mr. Barlow was responsible for leading the development of the CIA’s headquarters area fiber optic network programs.  In 1991, Mr. Barlow joined the CIA Inspector General staff as an inspector.  His second overseas tour began in 1992, as the Deputy, and then in 1994 as the Director of an overseas communications activity.  Mr. Barlow served in this capacity until 1996 when he returned to Washington to take on responsibility for the Office of Communications worldwide operations as Chief of Operations.

Mr. Barlow received a degree in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he also performed his graduate work.  Prior to joining the CIA in 1976, Mr. Barlow worked for over nine years with Bell Laboratories in the field of communications technology development.

Mr. Barlow was named to the Senior Intelligence Service in July 1990, and is the recipient of the Intelligence Medal of Merit, Intelligence Commendation Medal, Directorate of Administration Senior Intelligence Service Leadership Award, an Agency Outstanding Performance Award, three Exceptional Performance Awards, three NRO Senior Leadership Awards, NRO Director’s Team Award and several Meritorious Unit Citations.
Mr. Barlow lives in Herndon, Virginia with his wife, the former Diane Smith of Loudon County, VA, and his son Christopher.  He also has two older children Robert Barlow and Jennifer Barlow, and two grandsons, all currently residing in Virginia.  He enjoys sports and has coached youth basketball and soccer.