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Cary Russell

Director, Defense Capabilities and Management

Areas of Expertise:

  • Force structure
  • Global posture
  • Military operations
  • Military training and exercises
  • Warfighter support

Cary Russell is a Director in GAO’s Defense Capabilities and Management team. He is responsible for work involving the Department of Defense’s military operations and programs to support deployed combat forces. Key projects under his leadership have included reviews of DOD’s use and roles of military advisors in contingency operations; capabilities and application of special operations forces; training U.S. forces for the full spectrum of operations on land, air, and sea; air- and sea-lift support for military operations; prepositioned equipment and other theater support capabilities; and management and oversight of wartime contingency contractors.

Cary joined GAO in 1990. From 1990 to 1998, he was an evaluator in the Dallas Regional Office, where he worked on immigration, science and technology, and military operations. From 1998 through 2007, Cary was an analyst at GAO’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. in the National Security and International Affairs Division and in the Dallas and Atlanta field offices where he led engagements covering DOD’s land mine detection research, Defense Logistics Agency supply support to the military services, base realignment and closure issues, and logistics support for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. From 2007 through 2011, Cary served as an Assistant Director in the Atlanta Field Office leading multiple complex engagements in GAO’s warfighter support issues area, when he was appointed acting director in 2011 and relocated to GAO’s headquarters.

Cary earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas AandM University. He also holds certificates as a National Security Management Fellow from Syracuse University and for Key Executive Leadership from American University.

Multimedia

DOD's Management of Equipment during Afghanistan Drawdown
After 2017 Collisions, What is the Navy Doing to Reduce Sailor Fatigue and Workloads?
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Improved Cost Estimates Needed