Celebrating Leadership and Legacy in GEOINT with Bob Sharp
At #GEOINT2025, Laura Todd had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Bob Sharp, this year’s recipient of the Lundahl-Finnie Lifetime Achievement Award from USGIF.
Vice Admiral Bob Sharp, USN (Ret.) served as the Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, one of our nation’s premier intelligence agencies, from February 2019 until June 2022.
With 34+ years of service in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer, Bob’s journey spans from Cold War deployments aboard the USS Ranger to shaping the evolution of geospatial intelligence through Desert Storm and beyond.
His expertise in targeting, imagery analysis, and multi-domain integration has not only supported critical operations but helped build the foundation of today’s NGA.
In Bob’s words: “I still have a lot of lifetime left—and I intend to spend the next 10 years truly earning this recognition.”
👥 At the heart of his message was a focus on people and partnerships—the real strength of the GEOINT community. His story is a powerful reminder of the dedication, humility, and impact that shape our industry.
From Desert Storm to digital innovation, from wooden charts to satellite precision—Bob’s legacy is as much about adapting to change as it is about mentoring the next generation.
👏 Congratulations, Bob, and thank you for your lifelong service to security, innovation, and community.
