Jul 2, 2021
In this OODAcast, we talk with renowned counter-terrorism expert
and career clandestine services professional Cofer Black. Cofer is
best known for having been the Director of the CIA’s
Counterterrorism Center on 9/11 and having been part of the
intelligence community warning about the near-term threat of
terrorism in the United States prior to the attacks. However, his
pedigree in counterterrorism issues was well established with a
distinguished career in the field in high-risk areas and
operations.
During our discussion Cofer provides insight on a variety of
issues including:
- How his childhood experiences traveling around Africa equipped
him for the clandestine services. - What it was like to be tracking al Qaeda prior to 9/11.
- How AQ planned to assassinate him during a high risk tour of
duty overseas. - How to speak truth to power and what he learned trying to
provide early warning prior to 9/11. - Lessons learned on leadership from a career in the intelligence
community and private sector
Cofer’s Full Bio:
Ambassador Black has had a distinguished 28-year career in the
Directorate of Operations at the Central Intelligence Agency
including serving as the Director of the CIA Counterterrorist
Center during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In this capacity he
served as the CIA Director’s Special Assistant for Counterterrorism
as well as the National Intelligence Officer for Counterterrorism.
Ambassador Black was also appointed as the first State Department
Coordinator for Counterterrorism with the designation of Ambassador
at Large.
During his CIA career, Ambassador Black served six foreign tours
in field management positions. In 1995, Ambassador Black was named
the Task Force Chief in the Near East and South Asia Division. From
June 1998 through June 1999 he served as the Deputy Chief of the
Latin America Division.
After his government service, Ambassador Black transitioned to
the private sector and served as Vice President for Global
Operations at Blackbird Raytheon Technologies and as Vice Chairman
of Blackwater Worldwide and as Chairman of Total Intelligence
Solutions.
In addition to numerous exceptional performance awards and
meritorious citations, Ambassador Black received the Distinguished
Intelligence Medal, the George H. Bush Medal for Excellence, and
the Exceptional Collector Award for 1994.