Jamie Michael Morin (born 23 May 1975) is a former senior official in the United States Department of Defense. He was a private sector economist and research consultant before earning a Doctorate degree in political science from Yale University. He then served as a professional staff member on the United States Senate Committee on the Budget. Morin was Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation at the Department of Defense. Previously, he was Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Management & Comptroller), and served concurrently as Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force from 3 July 2012 to 28 April 2013. He joined The Aerospace Corporation in 2017 as executive director of the Center for Space Policy and Strategy and vice president of Defense Systems Operations.
Education
Morin is a native of Detroit, Michigan and a graduate of the University of Detroit Jesuit High School & Academy in 1993. He attended Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, graduating cum laude in 1996. In 1998, Morin earned a master's degree with distinction in Public Administration and Public Policy from the London School of Economics. In 2003 he received a doctorate in political science from Yale University. His dissertation addressed the political aspects of United States defense priorities in the post-Cold War environment.
Career
In 1995, Morin joined J.E. Austin Associates as a research assistant. He continued with the firm until 2001, serving first as a research associate, then an economist, and finally an economic strategy specialist. During his tenure at J.E. Austin he worked with private firms and international development agencies on economic development projects in Africa, Asia and the Balkans.
In 2001, Morin was selected as a visiting fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments in Washington, D.C., where he conducted research for The Pentagon's Office of Net Assessment. In 2002 Morin became a national fellow at the University of Virginia's Miller Center for Public Affairs in Charlottesville, Virginia. At the University of Virginia he studied national defense policy and lectured on government policy in undergraduate and graduate courses.
In 2003, Morin became senior defense analyst for the United States Senate Committee on the Budget. He also served as the national security advisor to the committee chairman, Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota. In this position Morin worked closely with members of the budget committee, and with staff from the armed services committee, foreign relations committee, and appropriations committee to ensure the committees delivered consistent public policy recommendations to the Senate.
Following the 2008 presidential election, Morin served as a defense policy adviser on President Barack Obama's transition team. On 11 May 2009, President Obama nominated Morin to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller. On 19 June the United States Senate confirmed him as the 21st Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller. Morin was 34 years old at the time of his appointment.
As the Air Force's chief financial officer, Morin was responsible for managing an annual budget of $160 billion. He supported professional training and education programs that help financial managers produce better budget projections and financial analysis for decision makers throughout the Air Force. Morin directed cost estimating and economic analysis programs through the Air Force Cost Analysis Agency. He was also responsible for the Air Force Financial Services Center, which provides financial services to 650,000 Airmen and civilian employees around the world.
In his role as Assistant Secretary, Morin emphasized the need to take care of America's Airmen. He placed the high priority on strengthening the Air Force's nuclear enterprise, which was demonstrated by his strong support for the stand-up of Air Force Global Strike Command. Morin promoted thoughtful decision-making at all levels within the Air Force and has fostered a culture of continuous improvement. He encouraged Air Force comptrollers to become their commander's trusted advisor in order to ensure available funds are used to achieve the greatest impact on Air Force operations and weapon system acquisition programs.