David Cattler is set to retire as director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, effective Sept. 30.
The DCSA said Monday will retire from public service, capping a 35-year career in the military, national security and civil sectors.
David Cattler’s Career Achievements
Cattler was appointed agency director in March 2024, replacing Daniel Lecce, the acting director at the time. He managed a global workforce of 15,000 federal and contract support personnel while overseeing the DCSA’s efforts to provide integrated security services, including counterintelligence support, industrial engagement, security training and vetting.
Before joining the DCSA, Cattler served four years at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as the assistant secretary general for intelligence and security. He also spent over four years at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, holding various positions, including assistant director of national intelligence, chairman of the national intelligence management council, national intelligence manager for the Near East and principal deputy national intelligence officer for military issues.
Cattler briefly served as deputy assistant to the president for regional affairs at the National Security Council and was the director of the defense combating terrorism center at the Defense Intelligence Agency, leading its counterterrorism efforts. Cattler also held various leadership roles during his stints at the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Department of the Navy and the Office of Naval Intelligence.
Earlier in his career, Cattler worked at Whitney, Bradley & Brown and was a naval surface warfare officer.
