Ronald L. Burgess Jr.

{{Short description|United States Army general (born 1952)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Use American English|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Ronald Burgess | image = LTG BURGESS.jpg | office = 16th Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency | president = Barack Obama | term_start = 18 March 2009 | term_end = 24 July 2012 | predecessor = Michael D. Maples | successor = Mike Flynn | office1 = Director of National Intelligence | status1 = Acting | president1 = Barack Obama | term_start1 = 27 January 2009 | term_end1 = 29 January 2009 | predecessor1 = Mike McConnell | successor1 = Dennis C. Blair | office2 = Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence | president2 = Barack Obama | term_start2 = January 2009 | term_end2 = February 2009 Acting | predecessor2 = Donald Kerr | successor2 = David C. Gompert | president3 = George W. Bush | term_start3 = June 2006 | term_end3 = October 2007 | predecessor3 = Michael Hayden | successor3 = Donald Kerr | birth_name = Ronald Lee Burgess Jr. | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|9|16|df=y}} | birth_place = Jacksonville, North Carolina, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | education = Auburn University (BA) University of Southern California (MS) U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (MMAS) | allegiance = {{flag|United States}} | branch = {{army|United States}} | service_years = 1974–2012 | rank = Lieutenant General }} '''Ronald Lee Burgess Jr.''' (born 16 September 1952)<ref>{{Cite web |title=You searched: Ronald Lee Burgess 58 - Public Background Checks |url=http://www.publicbackgroundchecks.com/SearchResponse.aspx?view=NM&fn=Ronald&mn=Lee&ln=Burgess&city=&state=&zip=&dob=19520916&age=58 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811222529/http://www.publicbackgroundchecks.com/SearchResponse.aspx?view=NM&fn=Ronald&mn=Lee&ln=Burgess&city=&state=&zip=&dob=19520916&age=58 |archive-date=2017-08-11 |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=www.publicbackgroundchecks.com}}</ref><ref>Marquis Who's Who on the Web</ref> is a retired United States Army lieutenant general. His last military assignment was as the 17th director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and commander of the Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JFCC-ISR). Prior to that, he was Director of the Intelligence Staff in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.<ref>[http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/07/army_sr_generals_072508w/ Army Times], July 25, 2008.</ref>

From August 2006 to May 2007 he was the deputy director of National Intelligence for customer outcomes (requirements).

On 17 May 2007, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence announced that Burgess had been nominated to be the director of the Intelligence Staff (DIS) for the Office of the DNI. While the DIS position does not require Senate confirmation, it does require the Senate Armed Services Committee to confirm Burgess' 3-star rank as the DIS.<ref>[http://www.dni.gov/press_releases/20070517_release.pdf ODNI Personnel Announcement], released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on May 17, 2006.</ref>

After the resignation of Gen. Michael Hayden as principal deputy director of National Intelligence, Burgess was selected by President George W. Bush in June 2006 to fill the position in an acting capacity until October 2007.<ref>[https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060606-5.html Personnel Announcement], released by the White House on June 6, 2006.</ref> During this time, he was still serving at the deputy director of national intelligence for customer outcomes (requirements) and transitioned to the director of the Intelligence Staff. He served as the acting principal deputy director of national intelligence for a second time from January 2009 to February 2009 and he also served as the acting director of national intelligence from 27 to 29 January 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |date= January 27, 2009|title= Director Of National Intelligence Resigns |url= https://www.cbsnews.com/news/director-of-national-intelligence-resigns/ |access-date= May 24, 2024|website=CBS News}}</ref>

==Biography and education== Burgess was commissioned in military intelligence through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps in 1974. He graduated from high school in Opelika, Alabama, then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Auburn University in 1974, a Master of Science degree in education from the University of Southern California in 1980, and a Master of Military Arts and Science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1986. While attending Auburn University he was a brother in the Beta Zeta chapter of Theta Xi and served as the chapter president from 1973 to 1974.

His military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, the Military Intelligence Officers Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College, the Advanced Military Studies Program, and the Air War College.

On 16 May 2015, Burgess was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, ''Honoris Causa'', from LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia.

In June 2015, Burgess was inducted into the United States Army Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.

On Saturday, 13 May 2017, Burgess received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida.

==Military assignments== Staff assignments include: assistant executive officer to the deputy chief of staff for intelligence, Washington, D.C. in 1990; G-2, 25th Infantry Division (Light) from May 1993 to May 1994 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He served as director of intelligence, J-2, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Fort Bragg, North Carolina, from May 1997 to June 1999; director of intelligence, J-2, U.S. Southern Command from June 1999 until May 2003, and director for intelligence, J-2, the Joint Staff from June 2003 to July 2005. Burgess assumed duty as the deputy director of national intelligence for customer outcomes in August 2005 transitioning to director of the Intelligence Staff in February 2007. He was dual-hatted twice as the acting principal deputy director of national intelligence from May 2006 to October 2007, and January to February 2009.

Command assignments include: company commander, 124th Military Intelligence Battalion, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Stewart, Georgia; command of the 125th Military Intelligence Battalion, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, from April 1991 to May 1993; and command of the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade in Panama from June 1995 to May 1997. LTG Burgess became the 17th director of the Defense Intelligence Agency on 18 March 2009.

==Retirement and post-retirement== Burgess departed DIA on 24 July 2012, and officially retired from the US Army on 1 September 2012.<ref name="AFPS">[http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=117250 "Panetta: Under Burgess, DIA Evolved Into Global Agency"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714123337/http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=117250 |date=2015-07-14}} American Forces Press Service. (By Cheryl Pellerin)</ref> Army Lieutenant General Michael T. Flynn, who had served as an assistant director of national intelligence, relieved Burgess.<ref name="AFPS"/>

At the change of command ceremony, Burgess received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal from Director of National Intelligence (DNI) James R. Clapper, Jr.<ref name="AFPS"/> Burgess also received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal 1OLC for his service as the DIA director.<ref name="AFPS"/>

In December 2012, Burgess joined Auburn University as senior counsel for national security programs, cyber programs and military affairs. In this capacity he works across the university to interface and coordinate with federal, state and commercial entities on all matters related to these areas.

In June 2015, Burgess was inducted into the United States Army Military Intelligence Hall of Fame

On 9 November 2016, Reuters reported that Burgess is part of the Trump transition team "focused on intelligence and security matters".<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-cyber-idUSKBN13503H Trump election ignites fears over U.S. encryption, surveillance policy], Reuters, November 9, 2016</ref>

On Saturday, 13 May 2017, Burgess received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida.

On 1 May 2018 Burgess assumed the duties of chief operating officer for Auburn University. In this role he advises the president of the university on all matters related to the overall direction, management, and effective administrative operations of managed oversight in support of its mission, strategic plan, core values and vision. In June, 2019 Burgess assumed the role of executive vice president of Auburn University with no real change in job function. He retired from Auburn University in June, 2023.

On Friday, 27 July 2018, Burgess was awarded an honorary Doctor of Strategic Intelligence, Honoris Causa, from the National Intelligence University in Bethesda, Maryland to recognize his longstanding and lasting contributions to the United States Intelligence Community (IC).

On May 11, 2025 Burgess was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa by Auburn University to recognize his longstanding service to the nation and to Auburn University.

==Personal life== Burgess and his wife Marta have five children: Lee, Regina, Julia, Mary, and John and seventeen grandchildren.

==Awards and decorations== {| |60px |Basic Parachutist Badge |- |60px |Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |- |60px |Army Staff Identification Badge |- |40px |Army Military Intelligence Corps Distinctive Unit Insignia |} {| |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|name=Defense Distinguished Service ribbon|width=60}} |Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|name=US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Defense Superior Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Legion of Merit ribbon|width=60}} |Legion of Merit |- |{{ribbon devices|number=4|type=oak|name=Meritorious Service ribbon|width=60}} |Meritorious Service Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Joint Service Commendation ribbon|width=60}} |Joint Service Commendation Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Army Commendation Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Army Commendation Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Army Achievement Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Army Achievement Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|name=Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon|width=60}} |Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster |- |60px |National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Army of Occupation ribbon|width=60}} |Army of Occupation Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|name=National Defense Service Medal ribbon|width=60}} |National Defense Service Medal with two service stars |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=AFEMRib|width=60}} |Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon|width=60}} |Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Armed Forces Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Army Service Ribbon|width=60}} |Army Service Ribbon |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|other_device= |name=Army Overseas Service Ribbon|width=60}}11px |Overseas Service Ribbon with the award numeral three |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=NATO SFOR ribbon bar|width=60}} |NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia |- |60px |Order of the Star of Romania, Commander ''(Military)'' |- |60px |French Legion of Honour ''(Commandeur)'' |}

During his career LTG Burgess was recognized with awards by the governments of Colombia, Bolivia and Bulgaria. Additionally, he was awarded the Order of the Star of Romania by the President of Romania, and was inducted into the Legion of Honour after selection by the President of France.

LTG Burgess is a recipient of the Auburn Alumni Association's Lifetime Achievement Award (2012).<ref>http://www.aualum.org/index.php/awards-list/lifetime-achievement {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> In June 2016 LTG Burgess was inducted into the inaugural class of the United States Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps National Hall of Fame.

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== *[http://www.dia.mil/about/director/ DIA biography]

{{s-start}} {{s-gov}} {{s-bef|before=Michael Hayden}} {{s-ttl|title=Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Acting|years=2006–2007}} {{s-aft|after=Donald Kerr}} |- {{s-bef|before=Donald Kerr}} {{s-ttl|title=Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Acting|years=2009}} {{s-aft|after=David Gompert}} |- {{s-bef|before=Mike McConnell}} {{s-ttl|title=Director of National Intelligence Acting|years=2009}} {{s-aft|after=Dennis C. Blair}} |- {{s-bef|before=Michael Maples}} {{s-ttl|title=Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency|years=2009–2012}} {{s-aft|after=Mike Flynn}} {{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burgess, Ronald L.}} Category:1952 births Category:Living people Category:Auburn University alumni Category:Commanders of the Order of the Star of Romania Category:Directors of the Defense Intelligence Agency Category:Military intelligence Category:Military personnel from North Carolina Category:People from Jacksonville, North Carolina Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni Category:United States Army generals Category:United States deputy directors of national intelligence Category:USC Rossier School of Education alumni