Virginia Tech alumna Letitia A. Long, former director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, has joined the advisory board of the Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology. The Hume Center advisory board is made up of defense and intelligence professionals with significant experience in science, technology, and research, who provide strategic direction and ensure the mission of the Hume Center is carried out.

"We are honored to add the wealth of experience and insight that Director Long brings to our advisory board," said Charles Clancy, the director of the Hume Center. "She joins an already established group of leaders in the national security field who provide invaluable contributions to the mission and direction of the Hume Center."

Long, who earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech, served as a civilian in the U.S. Navy and the Intelligence Community between 1978 and 2014. Retiring as the fifth director the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (and the first woman to lead a major U.S. intelligence agency) in October 2014, she currently serves as  chairman of the board for the Intelligence and National Security Alliance.

Long began her career in the U.S. Navy in 1978 as a civilian intern developing capabilities for the submarine force. She transitioned to Naval Intelligence program management in the mid-1990s and later became the first female deputy director of Naval Intelligence.  

She joined the newly established office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence in June 2003 as deputy undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence until May 2006 and then served as deputy director until July 2010.  She became National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency director on Aug. 9, 2010.

Written by Christine Callsen

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