Navy Rear Adm. Robert Sharp, commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence, has been confirmed by the Senate to serve as director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Sharp, who is also director of the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office, will elevate to the rank of vice admiral and assume the NGA chief post in February, the agency said Wednesday.
He will succeed Robert Cardillo, who has led NGA since 2014.
Sharp previously served as director for intelligence at U.S. Special Operations Command and commander of the joint intelligence center at U.S. Central Command for two years.
His naval career includes time as intelligence operations officer at U.S. Fleet Forces Command; targeting officer on the Joint Staff; director of intelligence for naval special warfare development group; and assistant intelligence officer for commander naval air forces in the Pacific.
Sharp is a recipient of numerous accolades including the Naval Intelligence Foundation award, Rear Adm. Edwin T. Layton leadership award and the U.S. Army’s Knowlton Award for Military Intelligence.
