Robert Gates

Robert Michael Gates is an American intelligence analyst, university president, and former government official. Born on September 25, 1943, Gates served as the 22nd United States secretary of defense from 2006 to 2011, initially appointed by President George W. Bush and retained by President Barack Obama. Prior to his role as secretary of defense, Gates had a successful career in the United States Air Force and later joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He spent twenty-six years in the CIA and at the National Security Council, eventually becoming the director of central intelligence under President George H. W. Bush. After leaving the CIA, Gates became the president of Texas A&M University and served on various corporate boards. He was also a member of the Iraq Study Group, which examined the lessons learned from the Iraq War.