James A. Hursch is a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. He retired from the Senior Executive Service in July 2024. He served as director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) from 2022 to 2024, where he worked to advance US defense and foreign policy interests by building the capacity of US allies and partner nations to respond to shared challenges.

Prior to joining DSCA, Hursch served as the acting secretary of defense representative in Europe and the acting defense advisor for the US Mission to NATO. Previously, he served as the director of the Defense Technology Security Administration (DTSA) from 2008 to 2013 and as a special assistant to the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs from 2007 to 2008. He also served in several positions within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, including as the deputy director of Northern European or European policy and the Nordic country director, in addition to a number of positions at the then-Defense Security Assistance Agency. From 1989 to 1991, Hursch served as a faculty member specializing in defense economics and international relations at the Institute of Higher Defense Studies within the National Defense University.

Hursch attended the University of Colorado where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude in international relations. He received his master’s degree in public and international affairs from Princeton University. He is the recipient of three Presidential Rank Awards, as well as three Secretary of Defense Medals for Distinguished Civilian Service, covering his service at DSCA, DTSA, and at the US Mission to NATO. He also received the Swedish Order of the Polar Star and the Finnish Order of the Lion.