USGIF is pleased to announce the Honorable Gilman Louie as the 2023 Arthur C. Lundahl—Thomas C. Finnie Lifetime Achievement Award. USGIF will present him with the award in recognition of his groundbreaking role in bridging the gap between U.S. intelligence agencies and the commercial technology sector.

With more than 30 years of national security and investment experience, Louie served as an early CEO of In-Q-Tel—the pioneering technology investment firm funded by the CIA—from 1999-2006, as an expert and Special Government Employee to the Defense Innovation Board from 2016-2020, and as a Commissioner on the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence from 2018-2021. 

As CEO of In-Q-Tel, Louie played a crucial role in identifying and investing in cutting-edge technologies that had the potential to benefit the Intelligence Community. Louie's leadership helped establish In-Q-Tel as a prominent player in the venture capital community, driving technology advancements in service to intelligence and national security. 

Under Louie's guidance, In-Q-Tel invested in numerous companies involved in fields such as data analytics, cybersecurity, communications, and more. His work at In-Q-Tel helped foster collaboration between the Intelligence Community and the private sector, encouraging innovation and technology transfer. His expertise in identifying promising technologies and understanding their potential applications in intelligence and national security contexts has contributed to the modernization and effectiveness of the U.S. intelligence apparatus. 

“Gilman is one of those rare visionaries that drives those visions into action and results. With that unique combination, Gilman has transformed myriad elements in the IC to increase our holistic understanding and our collective security,” said Robert Cardillo, USGIF Board Chair. 

Louie is the CEO of America’s Frontier Fund, Chairman of the Federation of American Scientists, Chairman of the National Intelligence University, and serves on numerous commercial and advisory boards. He is the recipient of the CIA Agency Seal Medallion (2004), CIA Director’s Award (2006), Agency Seal Medallion (2006), and Director of National Intelligence Medallion (2008). Louie received his B.S. in Business Administration from San Francisco State University where he graduated magna cum laude. 

About the Lundahl-Finnie Lifetime Achievement Award 

This prestigious award was named for Arthur C. Lundahl and Thomas C. Finnie, honoring their accomplishments—in imagery analysis and mapping, respectively—and their legacies within the GEOINT community.