Deep Water Point hires former military intelligence chief Robert Ashley
Robert Ashley, a retired US Army lieutenant general, has joined management consultancy Deep Water Point as a principal in the firm’s defense and intelligence business.
Ashley, who joins Deep Water after a 36-year career in the US Army, most recently served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency – the United States’ highest-ranking military intelligence role – during the Trump administration.
He brings extensive leadership experience in operational combat, intelligence, global security, cybersecurity, analytics, and risk management to Deep Water, which specializes in advising government contractors to the DoD, intelligence community, law enforcement, health, and federal civilian markets.
During his decorated career, Ashley has run complex military organizations with multi-billion dollar budgets and global missions. He has also established and led cross-functional teams to build capabilities in AI and computer vision that address intelligence problems against global threats.
As director of the DIA, Ashley tracked threats across the globe for senior leaders, provided daily briefings, and covered all aspects of threats from nation states and violent extremists.
Prior to that, he was deputy chief of staff of the Army G-2 (military intelligence), where he was responsible for security, counter-intelligence, and intelligence systems development for an Army intelligence force of more than 60,000 soldiers.
Ashley also has extensive combat experience, serving as commander and senior intelligence officer for the Joint Special Operations Command, Central Command, and International Security and Assistance Forces Afghanistan.
LTG Ashley holds a BS from Appalachian State University (NC), a master’s degree in strategic intelligence from Defense Intelligence College, and a master’s degree in international relations from US Army War College.
"Providing exceptional service to our clients requires us to recruit and sustain the best people industry and government have to offer," said Howard Seeger, Deep Water Point's managing partner. "General Ashley will be joining a very strong team of former senior government, military, and industry executives who understand the market and provide real value to our clients," he said.
Headquartered in Annapolis, MD, Deep Water provides government contractors with services in business development, market intelligence, executive and strategic support, and small business evolution. The firm works with enterprise services firms (systems integrators, telecommunications providers, major consultants), product companies (commercial software and hardware providers), and small businesses ranging in size from $1 million to $100 million in annual revenue.
The firm has approximately 20 partners and 300 professionals located in the National Capital Region and across the country.
