Former NGA Director Named Distinguished Geospatial Fellow at Saint Louis University
05/23/2019
Saint Louis University has announced that Robert Cardillo, former director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), has been named a Distinguished Geospatial Fellow in the Saint Louis University Research Institute. Cardillo, who will remain based in Washington D.C., has agreed to devote a portion of his time each month to his work for SLU. This assignment begins on June 1.
鈥淒uring my first conversation with Director Cardillo, his passion for collaboration and affinity for Jesuit education became clear,鈥� said Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., president of Saint Louis University. 鈥淔rom that moment on, we began generating a list of opportunities that could utilize Robert鈥檚 expertise and help build upon the growth and dynamism in the region, which is propelled by NGA West.鈥�
In his new role at SLU, Cardillo will support an ongoing strategy for geospatial growth in St. Louis; enhance the first-class education of SLU students; and facilitate collaborations between the University, local innovators, industry leaders and the NGA. Cardillo also will provide guidance to .
In addition, Cardillo will advise the on geospatial strategy, innovation and commercialization, further strengthening an already rich partnership between the University and the neighboring innovation hub.
鈥淚 could not be more excited to join the world-class professionals at Saint Louis University.鈥� Cardillo said. 鈥淎s the geospatial momentum grows in St. Louis, I look forward to advancing both SLU鈥檚 contributions and their interdependence with local, regional and national partners.鈥�
The mission of the Saint Louis University Research Institute will continue to propel SLU down the path to becoming a preeminent Jesuit research university. Founded through a $50 million gift from Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield 鈥� the largest gift in University history 鈥� one of the Research Institute鈥檚 key priorities is building areas of distinctive research strength.
鈥淩obert Cardillo鈥檚 appointment will accelerate our faculty鈥檚 ambition to establish SLU as a world-class destination for geospatial research, training and innovation,鈥� said Kenneth Olliff, the University鈥檚 vice president for research and director of the SLU Research Institute. 鈥淩obert will also play a critical role in building partnerships between SLU and the growing regional and national geospatial ecosystem 鈥� with our St. Louis innovation partners, Cortex and T-Rex, and with the NGA and other federal agencies, industry and other leading universities.鈥�
Cardillo is a highly respected leader in the U.S. Intelligence Community. He previously
held senior positions in the Bush and Obama administrations and most recently served
as the sixth director of the NGA, a position from which he selected North St. Louis
as the home of the agency鈥檚 planned $1.75 billion campus. He retired from that position
in February 2019.
鈥淪aint Louis University continues to demonstrate tremendous global and regional leadership
in shaping the future of geospatial research and innovation,鈥� said Jason Hall, chief
executive officer and co-founder of Arch to Park LLC. 鈥淩obert Cardillo鈥檚 appointment
adds to an already exceptional leadership team at the University.
鈥淒uring his tenure leading at the NGA, Robert earned a well-deserved reputation for leading a cultural shift that embraced external partnerships and technological innovation,鈥� Hall continued. 鈥淗is new appointment with SLU brings that vision and network of global relationships to St. Louis and will strengthen our region as the undisputed center of excellence for this rapidly growing industry sector.鈥�
Cardillo arrives at SLU at a transformative moment for geospatial science and research. In January 2019, SLU and the NGA announced . In April 2019, SLU and the NGA co-sponsored a new conference that brought together government, academic and industry partners who are growing the geospatial ecosystem in the greater St. Louis region. Cardillo鈥檚 appointment expands upon this work.
Cardillo earned a master鈥檚 degree in national security studies from Georgetown University and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in government from Cornell University. In May 2019, he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Saint Louis University.
About Saint Louis University
Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation鈥檚 oldest and most prestigious Catholic institutions. Rooted in Jesuit values and its pioneering history as the first university west of the Mississippi River, SLU offers nearly 13,000 students a rigorous, transformative education of the whole person. At the core of the University鈥檚 diverse community of scholars is SLU鈥檚 service-focused mission, which challenges and prepares students to make the world a better, more just place. For more information, visit slu.edu.