Kevin Barone is the founder, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Barone Intelligence & Defense. A U.S. Air Force veteran, engineer, and hands-on technical leader, he brings 33 years of experience advancing science and technology for Department of War and Intelligence Community missions.
Kevin began his career in the U.S. Air Force, where he oversaw foreign weapon-system exploitation and technical efforts spanning aircraft, submarines, vessels, and airships. He later served as lead technical SETA on multiple DARPA programs, helping develop advanced algorithms, sensor-processing systems, and machine-learning methods for analyzing electromagnetic signals and characterizing target-system responses. His experience spans machine learning, SIGINT, cognitive electronic warfare, augmented reality, data mining, software systems, and systems integration. He has also served as a CIA Technical Operations Officer, and his contributions have been recognized with the NSA Scientific Achievement Award.
Kevin founded Barone Intelligence & Defense in 2009 around a straightforward idea: exceptional people should be able to solve consequential national-security problems with technical rigor, personal ownership, and less bureaucracy. He envisioned a company where varied disciplines and perspectives could unite around a common mission—and where employees, customers, and partners would be treated with equal respect.
In addition to leading Barone’s corporate strategy and operations, Kevin serves as Chief Technology Officer and Chief Engineer. He remains closely involved in technical direction, infrastructure, business strategy, and the development of new mission capabilities. Most importantly, he works to sustain a culture where people have direct access to leadership, strong ideas receive serious consideration, and meaningful work remains close to those doing it.