Michael J. Morell (born 1958) is the current Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, his second time in that role, having served as Acting Director the year before, in 2011. In May 2010, Morell was sworn in as the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, succeeding Stephen Kappes.[1] As stated, from July 1[2] to September 6, 2011, he served his first stint as Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. On November 9, 2012, Morell once again became Acting Director following the resignation of General David Petraeus, following an extramarital affair.[3] President Obama plans to nominate him as the Director.[4]

Morell is a native of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.[5] He joined the CIA in 1980. He was chief of the CIA's division on Asia, Pacific and Latin America.[6] Most of his work in the agency was devoted to Asian projects.[5] He also managed the staff that produced the Presidential Daily Briefings for President George W. Bush.[5][6] Before his 2010 nomination as Deputy Director, Morell served as Director for Intelligence, a position he had held since 2008. Before that, he served as the CIA's first Associate Deputy Director from 2006-2008.