AFCEA’s intelligence department welcomes Capt. Ray A. Cross, USN (Ret.)
By Loren Blinde
September 27, 2016
Capt. Ray A. Cross, USN (Ret.), has assumed the responsibilities of vice president, intelligence, AFCEA International, and executive director, National Intelligence University Foundation. Steve Ritchey, who joined the AFCEA leadership team as the head of the intelligence department in August 1995, is retiring on September 30.
Capt. Cross comes to AFCEA from the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) where he served as a research staff member. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 2015 following assignment as the deputy director of the Defense Intelligence Agency Liaison Office in the United Kingdom. In his position, he advocated for improved allied partnering opportunities across a range of activities and investments, including intelligence analysis, cyber, collection management, technical capabilities and human intelligence.
The captain’s 30-year career as a naval officer included multiple fleet and shore assignments. He was the Navy’s senior intelligence officer for the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet from 2006 to 2008 and served with the 6th Fleet during combat operations in the former Yugoslavia as part of Operation Allied Force. He was the director of intelligence (N-2) with Carrier Strike Group 10 aboard USS Harry S. Truman. Capt. Cross’ first operational assignment was with Attack Squadron 95 aboard the USS Enterprise.
Capt. Cross’ leadership and service were recognized with the award of the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards and numerous other personal and unit awards. He was part of an interagency team that received the National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation for work on a collaborative international project.
Capt. Cross holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in national security strategy from the National War College and a master’s degree in strategic intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College.
Source: AFCEA International
