The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) is pleased to announce Vice Admiral Robert “Bob” Sharp, USN (Ret.), as the 2025 Arthur C. Lundahl-Thomas C. Finnie Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.  

Vice Admiral (VADM) Sharp served as the Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), one of the nation’s premier intelligence agencies, from February 2019 until June 2022. As Director, he led a global team of over 14,000 civilian, military, and contractor professionals operating in more than 120 locations worldwide. Under his leadership, NGA delivered world-class geospatial intelligence to policymakers, military personnel, intelligence professionals, first responders, and international partners, ensuring a decisive advantage in critical missions. 

VADM Sharp’s military career spans more than 34 years as a Naval Intelligence Officer and as a leader within the Navy’s Information Warfare Community. Throughout his service, he developed a reputation for building and motivating high-performing teams to address complex challenges in dynamic environments. During the global pandemic, he turned adversity into opportunity, leading efforts to modernize and streamline NGA’s operations, helping the agency become more agile, resilient, and people-focused. 

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Pacific and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. 

Today, VADM Sharp is the CEO of B Sharp – Global Solutions, where he provides consulting, advisory, and fellowship support to organizations striving to make a positive global impact.