NIP Chair Recognized for Lifetime Achievements at Geoint Gala
Vice Admiral (Ret) Bob Sharp is no stranger to the annual GEOINT Gala, but this year’s gala, held on 5 December at the Ritz-Carlton in McLean, Virginia, was a particularly special event for our NIP Chair as he was recognized with the 2025 Arthur C. Lundahl-Thomas C. Finnie Lifetime Achievement Award. This award, upon nomination and vote by the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) Board of Directors, is given to an influential member of the geospatial intelligence community who has dedicated much of his or her life's work to the tradecraft. Without a doubt, if there is anyone who deserves this honor, it is Bob Sharp. Fortunately, several of his family members were able to attend the event to witness the occasion, to include both his parents.
An introductory video to the award presentation provided commentary from several senior leaders with whom Sharp has worked, to include former NGA Director Letitia Long, former NGA Deputy Director Stacey Dixon, former NGA Director of Operations and Military Deputy Major General Charlie Cleveland, and former DIA Director Lieutenant General Bob Ashley. All provided personal testimony to Sharp’s leadership and the profound impact he has had on the GEOINT community.
Sharp’s acceptance remarks were focused on gratitude, as he offered thanks, first to his mom and dad, who taught him, “if you want to change the world, start by being a good human.” He also thanked his siblings, his children—all good humans, he noted—and especially his late wife and soulmate, Jen. In thanking the audience, he emphasized that he never did anything alone. “You are my people, every stage of my career, you have been there.”
Several NIP members also attended the event in support of Sharp, to include Rear Admiral Josh Himes, Captain (Ret) Stephanie Leung, Captain (Ret) Bob Allen, Commander (Ret) Patrick “Jiffy” Lueb, Commander (Ret) Sue Himes, and Ensigns Samantha Leung and Diamond Outlaw. All were delighted to be met with a larger-than-life image of Sharp’s face at the entrance to the Gala, which served as perfect photo opportunity for many!
Congratulations, “Bob”! And thank you for all you have done in setting the example of what a good human looks like.
The Arthur C. Lundahl-Thomas C. Finnie Lifetime Achievement Award honors the legacy of Arthur C. Lundahl and Thomas C. Finnie, whose vision and influence laid the foundation of modern geospatial intelligence.
Arthur Charles Lundahl is known as the “father of modern imagery analysis and imagery intelligence.” He was the founder and first director of the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC). Under his leadership, the NPIC’s support of the CIA demonstrated the value of imagery intelligence as a strategic and tactical resource. His work has been recognized for the discovery of Soviet missile installations in Cuba in 1962 that led to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Thomas C. Finnie was an influential architect of modern-day GEOINT. His work in mapping began with engineering and surveying in the Department of Agriculture. As technical director of the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center, he was one of the initial planners of the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) and later became its Director of Management and Technology. DMA’s effort to consolidate the broad disciplines of mapping, charting, and geodesy helped spark the GEOINT tradecraft’s early digital transformation. Finnie was working in mission control during the 1969 Moon landing of Apollo 11.
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