Tish Long to Head NGA, or First Woman to Head Major Intelligence Agency in United States

Crack in the ceiling etc.:

[Letitia "Tish" Long], who has spent 32 years in government service including more than two decades in the intelligence community, will take over as director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the office responsible for collecting and analyzing overhead imagery and geospatial information.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Intelligence Committee, said this is a historic first of a woman running a spy agency with a multi-billion dollar budget and thousands of employees.

"This is an important appointment, and I hope that she will bring a new and determined management ability to this agency," said Feinstein.

...John McLaughlin, the former CIA deputy director who worked with Long while she was at the agency, said Long was ideally suited for the job, because, "not only does she have a deep understanding of defense intelligence needs but assignments over the course of her career have given her a unique window into civilian intelligence as well."

He added: "A woman at the helm of one of our major intelligence agencies is a long overdue step recognizing that the contribution of women to intelligence success has long been equal to that of men."

Wow. Well (and unexpectedly) said, John McLaughlin!

I've got no idea what sort of positions on intelligence-gathering Long brings to the table (although warrantless wiretaps and national security letters haven't been as much at issue at the NGA by virtue of its purview), but I'm guessing that her positions don't significantly deviate from that of the administration (unfortunately). Still, I like this:

Long said the intelligence committee has benefited from including not just women, but minorities.

"The intelligence and defense communities have gained an incredible range of talents, skills, knowledge, and insight by welcoming not only women, but also more minorities, to the field," she said in a written answer to questions from CNN. "I believe that when you have a more diverse population exploring any type of intelligence problem, you will develop a broader and deeper range of solutions. I like to refer to that wider scope as 'cognitive diversity.'"

Nice.