August 12, 2016 –
DIA said thank you to Deputy Director Doug Wise at a
farewell ceremony hosted by DIA Director LtGen Vincent Stewart Aug. 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.”