Robert Gates

Robert Michael Gates (born September 25, 1943) is an American intelligence analyst who served as the 22nd United States secretary of defense from 2006 to 2011 and as the 15th director of central intelligence from 1991 to 1993 as a member of the Republican Party. He has been the 24th chancellor of the College of William and Mary since 2012.

Gates began his career serving as an officer in the United States Air Force but was quickly recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Gates served for twenty-six years in the CIA and at the National Security Council, and was director of central intelligence under President George H. W. Bush. After leaving the CIA, Gates became president of Texas A&M University and was a member of several corporate boards. Gates served as a member of the Iraq Study Group, the bipartisan commission co-chaired by James A. Baker III and Lee H. Hamilton that studied the lessons of the Iraq War.

Gates was nominated by President George W. Bush as secretary of defense in 2006, replacing Donald Rumsfeld. He was confirmed with bipartisan support. He continued to serve as secretary of defense under President Barack Obama and retired in 2011. In 2007, Time named Gates one of the year's most influential people, and in 2008 he was named one of America's Best Leaders by U.S. News & World Report. Gates was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, by President Obama during his retirement ceremony.

Since leaving the Obama administration, Gates was elected president of the Boy Scouts of America, served as chancellor of the College of William & Mary, and served as a member on several corporate boards. In 2012, Gates was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.