DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
WASHINGTON, DC 20511
October 3, 2017
DNI Coats Statement on DIA Change of Directorship
I am pleased to welcome Lt. Gen. Robert P. Ashley, Jr., U.S. Army, today as he succeeds Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart, USMC, as Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Lt. Gen. Ashley carries a wealth of experience in the Intelligence Community, both as a producer and consumer. He is exceptionally qualified to serve in this important defense intelligence post, having previously served as the director of intelligence at U.S. Central Command and the Joint Special Operations Command, and as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, AZ. I congratulate Lt. Gen. Ashley on his recent Senate confirmation as Director of the DIA, and I look forward to continuing our great partnership in support of our national security.
On behalf of the entire Intelligence Community, I thank Lt. Gen. Stewart—a visionary leader—for his incomparable stewardship of DIA and the commitment of his entire DIA team to protecting our nation. We will miss Lt. Gen. Stewart’s professionalism and collegial approach. However, we very much look forward to continued collaboration with him in his new role as Deputy Commander of U.S. Cyber Command, for which he was confirmed by the Senate.
I would also like to thank the Senate for its support for the respective nominations of Lt. Gen. Ashley and Lt. Gen. Stewart, especially SASC Chairman John McCain and Ranking Member Jack Reed. Their commitment to ensuring the IC has the best leaders in place at a time of great national security threats is crucial. Congressional oversight of intelligence is not only essential in our democracy but also important to the effective and efficient operations of our Intelligence Community.
Daniel R. Coats, Director of National Intelligence