Press Release

David R. Ellison Assumes Presidency of the National Defense Intelligence College

Washington D.C. - September 30, 2009

Dr. David R. Ellison became the president of the National Defense Intelligence College (NDIC) today, relieving A. Denis Clift who has served in that capacity since 1994. DIA Director Army Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Burgess presided over the ceremony.

Ellison is the former president and superintendent of the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, N.M., a position he held for five years until June 30, 2009. Ellison began his career in academia while serving in the Navy. During his final assignment, Ellison served as the superintendent of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterrey, Calif. from 2001 until his retirement in 2004 as a two-star Rear Admiral.

“Dr. Ellison has a distinguished record as an officer, leader, administrator and scholar — the very qualities the college requires to continue serving as this nation’s lead educational institution for defense intelligence,” said Burgess. “We’re honored by his decision to return to government service and contribute his experience and expertise to the National Defense Intelligence College and DIA.”

In 1962, the Department of Defense chartered NDIC to educate current and prospective military and civilian intelligence professionals, and to conduct and disseminate intelligence-related research. NDIC’s Bachelor of Science in intelligence and Master of Science in strategic intelligence degrees are both authorized by Congress and accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The only degree granting school in the U.S. intelligence community, the college is also a member of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area.

A native of Weymouth, Mass., Ellison is a 1970 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a bachelor’s in engineering. He earned his master’s in administration from George Washington University, and in 1984 he completed a doctorate in business administration at Pennsylvania State University. In 1989, Ellison also completed the Senior Officials in National Security Program at Harvard University.

In addition to his career in academia, Ellison has more than 33 years of Naval service. His distinguished career spans important naval command, operational, educational and staff assignments, including senior military assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense and executive assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

From 1993 to 1995, Ellison commanded the USS Yorktown (CG-48) operating in the Mediterranean supporting joint and coalition efforts during hostilities in the Adriatic region. From 1998 to 2000, he assumed duties as Commander of the Western Hemisphere Group responsible for all naval operations in support of U.S. Southern Command.

Ellison’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, four Legion of Merit awards, and the Bronze Star with Combat “V.”

DIA is the nation’s premier all-source military intelligence organization.

It provides the nation’s most authoritative assessments of foreign military intentions and capabilities. The agency’s four core competencies -- human intelligence, all-source analysis, counterintelligence and technical intelligence -- enable military operations while also informing policy-makers at the defense and national levels.

DIA’s mission is unique and no other agency matches its military expertise across such a broad range of intelligence disciplines.