Ruth David is a retired engineer who most recently worked at ANSER—a nonprofit that provides technological services to the United States Federal Government. There, she was president and CEO. She performed analysis and research on an array of national security issues. In 1999, she developed Homeland Defense Strategic Thrust to focus her research into terrorist organizations and hostile nations. She expanded the department to the ANSER Institute of Homeland Security in 2001 to provide public awareness and education on national security. She retired from ANSER in 2016.
In 1995, she became deputy director for science and technology of the CIA. From 1991 to 1994, she was the director of the development testing center where she supervised several engineering test facilities.
In 1989, Ruth worked for the Federal Aviation Administration where she managed the department of the non-destructive test, electromagnetic test, and Optics’s program on aging aircraft. In 1986, she was the supervisor of the Data Systems Development Organization where she invented a remote-controlled system for deployment of underground nuclear tests.
Ruth’s career started in 1975 at the Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque where she held various positions. She also taught adaptive and digital signals, digital and microprocessor system designs, and linear least-squares at the University of New Mexico.
Ruth holds several awards for her work in technology, including the CIA Director’s Award, the Defense Intelligence Agency Director’s Award, the CIA Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the National Reconnaissance Officer’s Award for Distinguished Service, and the National Security Agency Distinguished Service Medal. Former President Obama appointed her as a member of the National Science Board and National Science Foundation in 2012.
Ruth obtained her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Wichita State University in 1975 and her master’s and PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford.
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Dr. Ruth David
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Dr. Ruth Westheimer