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Cordell Francis, Jr
Senior Advisor (Strategic Programs)
Department of War, Office of the Chief Information Officer
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Dr. Cordell Francis serves as the Senior Advisor to the DoW CIO on Strategic Programs. In this role, he is responsible for managing and directing all engagements with International, Industry, Public Affairs, Congressional and other federal partners to advance the Department's and CIO's key priorities, goals and objectives. He likewise provides advice and assistance on oversight and implementation of policy and strategy to the CIO on all matters necessary to carry out the CIO's roles and responsibilities considering political, social, economic, technical, and administrative factors that may impact recommended policies and strategies.
Prior to assuming his current position in August 2025, Dr. Francis was the Director of Business Integration & Chief of Staff for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs from December 2023 to July 2025. He provided leadership and direction to multifunctional teams, oversaw all legislative operations and business-like functions, and he was responsible for the development and implementation of policies, strategies, requirements, processes, plans, programs, personnel, and budget initiatives. He began his civilian career as a Policy Analyst for former a U.S. Senator from 1999 to 2001, where he worked U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) issues, justice & crime, census, health care, immigration, and education. He was the Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for the DoW’s Joint Forces Command from 2001 to 2008, where he built and developed the legislative affairs office and engaged congressional committees regarding DoW transformation. He was a Director of Congressional Affairs for the American Psychological Association’s (APA) from 2008 to 2011, where he was focused on legislation impacting DOW and VA psychologists, service members with Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and their families. Likewise, he was a liaison between the APA and the DOW and VA on issues ranging from military psychological assessments to incentive pay for psychologists. He served at the DOW’s Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) as the Deputy Legislative Director from April 2011 to December 2023. His accomplishments include serving as the Legislative Director during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic where he provided congressional and federal engagement on the procurement and delivery of medical supplies and vaccines to states and localities.
Dr. Francis earned a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor and Master of Social Work degree from the Florida State University. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Secretary of War’s Executive Leadership Development Program.
Dr. Francis is a U.S. Navy War Veteran and recipient of the Southwest Asia Service Medal for his service in Operation Desert Shield (1992); a former U.S. Navy P-3C Aircrewman; awardee of the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for service onboard the U.S.S. Independence (CV-62) (1993) and at the DLA (2023); and several DLA Director awards for work supporting the DLA COVID Response Team in 2020 and 2021.
He is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., the former President of the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Alumni Association Inc, and a former Board Member of the Maryland Center on Economic Policy.