DIA holds farewell ceremony for Deputy Director Doug Wise

DIA said thank you to Deputy Director Doug Wise at a farewell ceremony hosted by DIA Director LtGen Vincent Stewart August 11 at DIA Headquarters.

Stewart presented Wise with the DIA Director’s Award in recognition of his exceptional service. Additionally, colleagues from across the intelligence community and leaders from DIA’s directorates for Operations, Mission Services and Analysis presented tokens of appreciation to Wise and shared memories from their time working with the man who many referred to simply as “a legend.”

“What he did was quintessential to what you want in a deputy,” Stewart said, adding that the deputy and director are like dance partners that have to be perfectly in-step.

After Wise said a few words and extended thanks to the people who have impacted his career, Stewart swore in DIA’s next deputy director, Melissa Drisko. Drisko, who has been with DIA since 2004, mostly recently served as the director of Science and Technology and director of the agency’s Rank-in-Person implementation initiative.

“There’s none more qualified to lead the women and men of this remarkable agency,” Wise said of his successor. “She possesses an extraordinary and relevant career – a track record within DIA as an extraordinary practitioner and leader with success in both. She’s a consummate collaborator. She’s a team builder, and she’s highly respected inside and outside of this agency.”

Source: DIA