The combination of industry innovation and a highly adept and pragmatic Intelligence Community (IC) leadership are vital for strengthening our national security and intelligence capabilities.

Of course, a key component in helping the IC achieve its mission is having the right leadership on the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI).

From 2011 to 2014, Mike Rogers (R-MI) and C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) did precisely this in their roles as chairman and ranking member, respectively, of HPSCI. During this time, they took a bipartisan, and pragmatic approach that promoted national security interests and minimized political posturing in their roles.

Beginning in 2011, the pair worked together to pass five intelligence authorization bills over the next four years. Prior to their efforts, there was a period of six years where no authorization bills were passed.

These efforts were recently noted by the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA), which bestowed both Rogers and Ruppersberger with the 31st William Oliver Baker Award.

Rogers retired from the U.S. House of Representatives at the conclusion of the 113th Congress after representing Michigan’s 8th Congressional District for 14 years. Congressman Rogers is currently the host of the nationally-syndicated radio show and is a CNN national security contributor.

Congressman Ruppersberger, who in 2003 became the first Democratic freshman ever appointed to the HPSCI, also left the committee at the conclusion of the 113th Congress. His 12-year term on the HPSCI is the longest in the committee’s history.

"What struck me the most about Ruppersberger was his genuine passion and interest in the details of how technology is transforming the Intelligence Community," said AJ Clark, President of Thermopylae.  "Last year at the GEOINT conference he visited our technology expo and wouldn’t leave until getting every detail on each new capability and how it specifically was being used to improve the community. That commitment to understanding the topics at a deep level was something I think is very important as innovation helps to improve all areas of Government.In my role running a technology company, I have learned that unless you make the time to grasp the specifics of what is driving change you lack an important perspective in your decision-making process."

The Congressman continues to serve Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District, which is home to the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command.

Both Rogers and Ruppersberger provided important support and oversight for the IC during a critical time, and we hope that new HPSCI leadership will follow their example.