[CBS] CIA Director Gina Haspel's pick for the number three role at the agency is, like her choice for deputy director, a career analyst with three decades of experience across a number of specialized fields.
Andrew "Andy" Makridis will assume the position of chief operating officer, a position that does not require Senate confirmation.
In a press release announcing Makridis' appointment, Haspel said, "Andy brings a wealth of expertise from his 32-year CIA career and has a deep understanding of how the agency works."
"He is the ultimate team player," Haspel said.
Haspel also named Sonya Holt, a 34-year veteran of the agency, to the role of chief diversity and inclusion officer. "To succeed against intelligence challenges facing us today," Haspel said, "we must have officers who bring a variety of life experiences and viewpoints to the job."
Holt served as the lead for the Director's Advisory Group (DAG) Implementation, an agency initiative formed in 2013 to address recommendations made by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to help more women at CIA reach leadership posts. The initiative concluded this year, after five years, and a final report is forthcoming. In an update issued last month, the agency noted that women now make up 36 percent of the Senior Intelligence Service.
The CIA said this week was the first that three senior officials ‐ Makridis, Holt and deputy director Vaughn Bishop, who was sworn in on August 6 ‐ began in their new roles.
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