Darwin McDaniel
Executive Mosaic is pleased to introduce Army Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, as an inductee into the 2019 Wash100 — Executive Mosaic’s annual selection of the most influential voices in the government contracting arena — for leading the agency’s modernization efforts with emerging technology.
Ashley, a two-time Wash100 Award winner, became director in 2017 and leads 16,500 employees to provide intelligence on foreign military and operating environments.
During a June 2018 summit, He emphasized the agency would expand its data collection efforts to deal with the space domain and seek intelligence and information on sophisticated air, ground and sea technology platforms.
He cited emerging threats from Russia and China given their rapid development of new military technologies.
“We watch the AI side of the house, the hypersonics, counter-space, [and] what they’re doing with regard to subs, if you’re following the maritime piece of that as well,†Ashley told a Center for Strategic and International Studies event in September.
The agency is building a new database to replace its legacy modernized intelligence database, where it currently stores intelligence data to help maintain U.S. dominance.
Eight companies and one nonprofit were selected for a potential 10-year, $500 million contract to support the DIA science and technology directorate in September 2018. Contractors will work on research, development, engineering and technical tasks at various government and contractor facilities within the Washington, D.C. area through 2028.
Prior to his current role, Ashley held various leadership roles with the U.S. Army including deputy chief of staff, G-2 and director of intelligence at the Army Joint Special Operations Command and the U.S. Central Command.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Appalachian State University, a master’s degree in strategic intelligence from Defense Intelligence College and a second master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College.
Ashley won numerous awards including the Defense Superior Service Medal (2OLC), the Legion of Merit and a Bronze Star Medal. Lieutenant General Ashley has also earned the Parachutist Badge, Army aviation crewmember badge, Army staff identification badge and Australian parachutist badge.
Executive Mosaic congratulates Robert Ashley and the DIA for their selection to receive the award.
About the Wash100
The Wash100 award, now in its sixth year, recognizes the most influential executives in the GovCon industry as selected by the Executive Mosaic team in tandem with online nominations from the GovCon community. Representing the best of the private and public sector, the winners demonstrate superior leadership, innovation, reliability, achievement and vision.
Visit the Wash100 site to learn about the other 99 winners of the 2019 Wash100 Award. On the site, you can  submit your 10 votes for the GovCon executives of consequence that you believe will have the most significant impact in 2019.
