PERSON: David Shedd

Visiting Distinguished Fellow

In his role as Visiting Distinguished Fellow, David contributes to the Index of U.S. Military Strength, one of Heritage’s flagship annual publications. He also works on developing intelligence and defense policy.

Shedd served as DIA’s Acting Director since 2014, where he led the Defense Intelligence Enterprise workforce comprised of more than 16,500 military and civilian employees worldwide. He served as DIA’s Deputy Director for four years prior and also held top positions at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the National Security Council (NSC).

He served from 2007 to 2010 as the ODNI Deputy for Policy, Plans, and Requirements, where he led the review of Executive Order 12333, the foundational U.S. intelligence policy. He also served as the NSC’s Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Intelligence Programs and Reform.

Shedd has been directly involved in the implementation of intelligence reform stemming from the 9/11 Commission report in July 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, and the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Commission’s report to the President in March 2005. He has also held a variety of senior management assignments at CIA, including Chief of Congressional Liaison.

— heritage.org