Robert Gates
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Robert M. Gates, Director of Central Intelligence, 1991-1993.
Dr. Robert Michael Gates (born September 25, 1943) served as Director of Central Intelligence from November 6, 1991 until January 20, 1993 and was Deputy National Security Adviser under Brent Scowcroft during the first Gulf War. Dr. Gates is currently the President of Texas A&M University. He and his wife Becky have two children.
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Childhood and education
A native of Wichita, Kansas, Dr. Gates attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and went on to receive his bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary in 1965, his master's degree in history from Indiana University in 1966, and his Ph.D. in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University in 1974.
Intelligence career
Dr. Gates joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1966 as an intelligence analyst. He left from 1974 to 1979 to serve on the National Security Council staff but returned to the CIA in late 1979. He was named the Director of the DCI/DDCI Executive Staff in 1981, Deputy Director for Intelligence in 1982, and Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from April 18, 1986 to March 20, 1989. He was named Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs from March until August of 1989, and he was appointed Deputy National Security Adviser from August 1989 until November 1991. He was nominated for the position of Director of Central Intelligence by President Bush on May 14, 1991, confirmed by the Senate on November 5, and sworn in on November 6, becoming the only career officer in the CIA's history (as of 2004) to rise from entry-level employee to Director. Deputy Directors during his tenure were Richard J. Kerr (from November 6, 1991 until March 2, 1992) and Adm. William O. Studeman (from April 9, 1992 through the remainder of Dr. Gates’s tenure).
During his 26-year career as an intelligence professional, he spent almost 9 years on the National Security Council, serving four Presidents of both major political parties.
His memoirs were published under the title From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insider's Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War in 1996.
Dr. Gates has been highly-decorated for his service: he was the recipient of the National Security Medal and the Presidential Citizens Medal, was twice awarded the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and three times received the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.
Business career
Dr. Gates became the 22nd President of Texas A&M University on August 1, 2002 following a tenure as Interim Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M from 1999 to 2001. He has served as a member of the board of trustees of The Fidelity Funds, and on the board of directors of NACCO Industries, Inc., Brinker International, Inc. and Parker Drilling Company, Inc.
Director of National Intelligence
In January of 2004, President George W. Bush offered Dr. Robert Gates the position of United States Director of National Intelligence, a post created in the wake of the September 11th terror attacks. Dr. Gates declined the offer for unknown reasons and instead committed to remain as President of Texas A&M University through the summer of 2008.
Sources
- Author Unknown. "Biography, Dr. Robert M. Gates, President, Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu/president/bio.html)," Texas A&M University. (2003)
- Center for the Study of Intelligence. "Robert Michael Gates (http://www.cia.gov/csi/books/dddcia/gates.html)," Directors & Deputy Directors of Central Intelligence. (2004)
- Brett Nauman. "Gates passes on intelligence czar post (http://www.theeagle.com/aandmnews/020105gates.php)," The Bryan-College Station Eagle. (February 1, 2005)
Further reading
- Robert Gates, US Intelligence and the End of the Cold War (http://www.cia.gov/cia/public_affairs/speeches/1999/dci_speech_111999gatesremarks.html), 1999, CIA
- Robert Gates, Frontline The Gulf War: An Oral History: Interview with Robert Gates, Deputy National Security Advisor (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/gulf/oral/gates/1.html), 2001, PBS.org
| Preceded by: William H. Webster | Director of Central Intelligence 1991–1993 | Succeeded by: R. James Woolsey |
| Preceded by: Ray Bowen | President of Texas A&M University 2002–Present | Succeeded by: current in office |