James Clapper, the past director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, has been tapped as the new Director of National Intelligence. The appointment to this post as synthesizer of intelligence from 16 different agencies seems fitting for a person who is so versed in the ability of geospatial technology to fuse information and provide a “common operating picture,” for the ability to condense and convey the overall intelligence picture is the role of this job.
Clapper dramatically changed the role and profile of the defense mapping agency during his tenure that began immediately following 9/11. He can largely be credited with pulling geospatial intelligence out from behind closed doors, and actively engaging the vendor and research community for greater technology acceleration. His leadership is perhaps most largely marked by his communication skills, and belief in open dialogue. Under his encouragement, the Geospatial Intelligence conference took root, and the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation was created.
This role as overseer of all of these intelligence agencies still requires Senate confirmation, and the process has been characterized as prickly by the press given Clapper’s past frank discussions with lawmakers. The geospatial community has witnessed Clapper’s intense focus on a mission, and his ability to harness technology and drive advancements. It would be a shame if this unique skill set were to be passed over.
