Lt Gen Michael V. Hayden, Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service (NSA/CSS), USAF, is pleased to announce the selection of Major General Richard J. Quirk III, USA, to fill the recently vacated position of Director for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). He will lead the Nation's codebreaking mission into the global telecommunications age.
"Having served as the Deputy Director for Signals Intelligence since August 2002, MG Quirk has helped define the Agency's SIGINT transformation during such world events as the Global War on Terrorism and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM," Lt Gen Hayden said. "His transition to fill this key leadership position of SIGINT Director will be seamless, both to the Agency and to our SIGINT customers."
Prior to joining NSA/CSS in October 2001, MG Quirk served in a variety of intelligence positions to include the Director of Intelligence (J2) for U.S. Southern Command, in Panama and Miami from 1997 through 1999, and prior to that, held numerous command positions from team through brigade. Further, he has supported the warfighter in the Republic of Vietnam, Haiti, and in Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. MG Quirk has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Miami and a Masters Degree in Military Arts and Sciences. He is a graduate of various Intelligence Schools, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the School for Advanced Military Studies, and the U.S. Army War College. He has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and other U.S. and Foreign decorations, as well as the Expert Infantryman's Badge and the Senior Parachutist Badge.
Joining MG Quirk in leading the SIGINT Directorate is Mr. Charles E. Meals, who moves up from the SIGINT Customer Relationships Directorate to serve as MG Quirk's Deputy Director. Mr. Meals has served in various mission positions at the Agency for over 30 years. He received the Presidential Meritorious Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service Rank Award in 2000, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and two Masters of Arts degrees, one in International Relations and one in National Security Studies.