Managing Director, Beacon Global Strategies LLC

Michael Allen is Managing Director of Beacon Global Strategies, an advisory firm specializing in International Policy, Defense, Cyber, Intelligence, and Homeland Security.

In that role, Mr. Allen assists clients in understanding intelligence and cyber security issues and advises on challenges arising from geopolitical instability on a variety of transactions and commercial endeavors.

Previously, from 2011-2013, Allen served as the Majority Staff Director of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI). Prior to joining the HPSCI, Mr. Allen was director for the Bipartisan Policy Center’s successor to the 9/11 Commission, the National Security Preparedness Group, co-chaired by former Congressman Lee Hamilton and former Governor Tom Kean.

Mr. Allen also served in the George W. Bush White House for seven years in a variety of national security policy and legislative roles. From June 2007 to January 2009, Mr. Allen served as the Special Assistant to the President, and Senior Director for Counter-proliferation Strategy in the National Security Council.

He was also the Intelligence Team Lead for the Romney for President Transition Team and is currently the Intelligence Chairman for the John Hay Initiative. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, The Atlantic Council, the Institute for Strategic and International Studies and a Senior Fellow for Cyber Security for the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA).

Mr. Allen has also worked in the legislative affairs office of the White House’s Homeland Security Council, and as Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs. In addition to holding key administrative positions, Mr. Allen has also taught National Security Policymaking at the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs.

Mr. Allen received his L.L.M. with distinction in International Law from the Georgetown University Law Center, his J.D. from the University of Alabama (cum laude), and his B.A. from Vanderbilt University.