Dustin Gard-Weiss, who previously performed the duties of the under secretary of defense for intelligence and security, has been appointed as executive director of the CIA. The executive director role will replace the chief operating officer position, the CIA said in a press release on Friday.
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Gard-Weiss welcomed his appointment, saying that he was delighted to work with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, a one-time Wash100 Award winner, and Deputy Director Michael Ellis.
“It is the honor of my career to enable the CIA workforce to accomplish their exceptional mission,” he said.
Comments by CIA’s John Ratcliffe
Commenting on Gard-Weiss’ appointment, Ratcliffe expressed that he was glad to have him on the team.
“Dustin is an outstanding leader with a wealth of experience in the Intelligence Community, and we are deeply fortunate to count him as a member of CIA’s senior leadership team,” he remarked.
Who Is Dustin Gard-Weiss?
Gard-Weiss brings his two decades of leadership experience in defense, national security and intelligence missions. He became the executive director of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, where he supported the under secretary and deputy under secretary in overseeing intelligence, counterintelligence, and security efforts, according to his DOD profile.
He also held several top positions in the Navy, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
