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NGA director receives AFCEA intel award

 May 25, 2015

 NGA Office of Corporate Communications

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Director Robert Cardillo received the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association’s highest intelligence award during the organization’s 34th Spring Intelligence Symposium in Springfield, Virginia, May 20.

The AFCEA Charlie Allen Award for Distinguished Intelligence Service, named for the former undersecretary of homeland security for intelligence and analysis, recognizes a lifetime of service to the intelligence community and the nation.

AFCEA Intelligence Committee Chair Jake Jacoby presented Cardillo with the award, congratulating him on his contributions to national security.

“This extensive list of accomplishments and professionalism are exactly what this award represents,” he said.

Cardillo began his remarks by emphasizing the important contributions of the award’s namesake, noting that Allen was a key figure in improving the quality of intelligence tradecraft and collection.

“I aspire to the breadth and depth of the impact Charlie has had,” said Cardillo. “Working for you was one of the highlights of my career, I couldn’t be more humbled.”

Cardillo also highlighted NGA’s current “seismic shift” and focus on data, non-traditional sources, automated systems and people development.

“We have a limited time to transform our mindset and unleash the power of our people to leverage our enterprise and fulfill the potential that these changes offer,” said Cardillo.

Past recipients of the award include David Shedd, former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Stephanie O’Sullivan, principal deputy director for national intelligence, Letitia A. Long, former NGA director and James Clapper, director of national intelligence.

AFCEA is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing knowledge through the exploration of issues relevant to its members in information technology, communications, and electronics for the defense, homeland security and intelligence communities.

Caption: Director Cardillo receives the AFCEA Charlie Allen Award for Distinguished Intelligence Service. Left to right: Jake Jacoby, AFCEA Intelligence Committee Chair; Robert Shea, President and CEO of AFCEA; Charlie Allen, award namesake; Robert Cardillo, NGA Director. Photo by Rob Cox, Office of Corporate Communications.