Elizabeth A. Hight
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth A. Hight is a retired United States Navy
rear admiral
who served as the Vice Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). She assumed this post in December 2007. In 2008, she was nominated for appointment to the grade of vice admiral
and assignment as director, Defense Information Systems Agency; commander, Joint Task Force – Global Network Operations; and deputy commander, U.S. Strategic Command Global Network Operations and Defense, Arlington, Va. Her nomination was rejected by the Senate due to a perceived conflict of interest with her husband, retired Air Force
Brigadier General Gary Salisbury, who is vice president of business development and sales for Northrop Grumman Corp.'s mission systems sector, defense mission systems division. She retired from the Navy in December 2008.
in 1974 and joined the Navy in March 1977.
where she was the High-Frequency Receiver Site Division Officer. In 1979, she reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola where she established the command’s first Human Resources Office, followed by two years as the base Public Affairs Officer
. In 1984, Rear Adm. Hight reported to the CNO staff (OP-094) as the Program Sponsor for the Ultra High Frequency Satellite Communications Program. In July 1986, she reported to the U.S. Space Command Directorate of Plans (J5) as a plank owner, and in February 1988, she was selected to serve as a member of the USSPACECOM Commander-in-Chief’s Group. In July 1989, Rear Adm. Hight reported to Director, Communications Security Material Systems as Executive Officer. In July 1991, she was assigned to the Program Executive Officer
for Space, Communications and Sensors (PMW-146) where she served as the Assistant Program Manager for Operations.
In May 1993, Rear Adm. Hight reported to the Fleet Surveillance Support Command as Commanding Officer
. In March 1995, she reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel as the Assistant Branch Head, Fleet Support Assignments Office. Upon completion of that tour in July 1997, she transferred to the Joint Staff/J6 where she served as the Chief, Current Operations Division and then as the Executive Assistant to the Director, C4 Systems. In June 2000, Rear Adm. Hight reported as the U.S. Space Command Liaison Officer to the U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany.
In July 2001, Rear Adm. Hight reported for duty as Commanding Officer, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic and Program Manager for Mid-Atlantic Region Information Technology. In June 2002, she was selected for promotion to Rear Admiral (lower half) and reported to OPNAV 6/7 where she was the Director, Net-Centric Warfare.
From 2006 to 2007, Hight was DISA’s Principal Director for Operations and Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force-Global Network Operations. As Principal Director, she was responsible for providing command, control, communications, computer and intelligence support to the nation’s warfighters. As Deputy Commander, JTF-GNO, Rear Adm. Hight was responsible to United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) for directing the operation and defense of the Global Information Grid
(GIG).
Rear Admiral Elizabeth A. Hight is currently the Vice Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency
(DISA). She helps lead a worldwide organization of more than 6,600 military and civilian personnel responsible for planning, developing, and providing interoperable, global net-centric solutions that serve the needs of the President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff
, the combatant commanders, and other Department of Defense
(DoD) components.
, the Naval Postgraduate School
with a master’s degree in Telecommunications Systems, and George Washington University
with a master’s degree in Information Systems
.
(with Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit
(with Gold Star in lieu of second award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal
, Meritorious Service Medal
(with Gold Star in lieu of third award), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and Air Force Master Space Badge.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
rear admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
who served as the Vice Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). She assumed this post in December 2007. In 2008, she was nominated for appointment to the grade of vice admiral
Vice admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and the United States Maritime Service, vice admiral is a three-star flag officer, with the pay grade of...
and assignment as director, Defense Information Systems Agency; commander, Joint Task Force – Global Network Operations; and deputy commander, U.S. Strategic Command Global Network Operations and Defense, Arlington, Va. Her nomination was rejected by the Senate due to a perceived conflict of interest with her husband, retired Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
Brigadier General Gary Salisbury, who is vice president of business development and sales for Northrop Grumman Corp.'s mission systems sector, defense mission systems division. She retired from the Navy in December 2008.
Biography
Rear Adm. Hight graduated Magna Cum Laude from Huntingdon CollegeHuntingdon College
Huntingdon College, founded in 1854, is a coeducational liberal arts college in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. Related to the United Methodist Church, the college's central hallmarks are faith, wisdom, and service. The college is known for providing a solid academic experience based on good...
in 1974 and joined the Navy in March 1977.
Naval career
Her first duty station was Naval Communications Area Master Station Western Pacific, GuamGuam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
where she was the High-Frequency Receiver Site Division Officer. In 1979, she reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola where she established the command’s first Human Resources Office, followed by two years as the base Public Affairs Officer
Public affairs (military)
Public Affairs is a term for the formal offices of the branches of the United States Department of Defense whose purpose is to deal with the media and community issues. The term is also used for numerous media relations offices that are created by the U.S. military for more specific limited purposes...
. In 1984, Rear Adm. Hight reported to the CNO staff (OP-094) as the Program Sponsor for the Ultra High Frequency Satellite Communications Program. In July 1986, she reported to the U.S. Space Command Directorate of Plans (J5) as a plank owner, and in February 1988, she was selected to serve as a member of the USSPACECOM Commander-in-Chief’s Group. In July 1989, Rear Adm. Hight reported to Director, Communications Security Material Systems as Executive Officer. In July 1991, she was assigned to the Program Executive Officer
Program Executive Officer
A Program Executive Officer, or PEO, is one of a few key individuals in the United States military acquisition process. As can be seen from the examples below, a Program Executive Officer may be responsible for a specific program , or for an entire portfolio of similar programs A Program Executive...
for Space, Communications and Sensors (PMW-146) where she served as the Assistant Program Manager for Operations.
In May 1993, Rear Adm. Hight reported to the Fleet Surveillance Support Command as Commanding Officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
. In March 1995, she reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel as the Assistant Branch Head, Fleet Support Assignments Office. Upon completion of that tour in July 1997, she transferred to the Joint Staff/J6 where she served as the Chief, Current Operations Division and then as the Executive Assistant to the Director, C4 Systems. In June 2000, Rear Adm. Hight reported as the U.S. Space Command Liaison Officer to the U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany.
In July 2001, Rear Adm. Hight reported for duty as Commanding Officer, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic and Program Manager for Mid-Atlantic Region Information Technology. In June 2002, she was selected for promotion to Rear Admiral (lower half) and reported to OPNAV 6/7 where she was the Director, Net-Centric Warfare.
From 2006 to 2007, Hight was DISA’s Principal Director for Operations and Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force-Global Network Operations. As Principal Director, she was responsible for providing command, control, communications, computer and intelligence support to the nation’s warfighters. As Deputy Commander, JTF-GNO, Rear Adm. Hight was responsible to United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) for directing the operation and defense of the Global Information Grid
Global Information Grid
The Global Information Grid is an all-encompassing communications project of the United States Department of Defense.It is defined as a "globally interconnected, end-to-end set of information capabilities for collecting, processing, storing, disseminating, and managing information on demand to...
(GIG).
Rear Admiral Elizabeth A. Hight is currently the Vice Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency
Defense Information Systems Agency
The Defense Information Systems Agency is a United States Department of Defense agency that provides information technology and communications support to the President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense, the military Services, and the Combatant Commands.As part of the Base Realignment and...
(DISA). She helps lead a worldwide organization of more than 6,600 military and civilian personnel responsible for planning, developing, and providing interoperable, global net-centric solutions that serve the needs of the President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
, the combatant commanders, and other Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
(DoD) components.
Career At HP
On January 11, 2010 it was announced that Elizabeth A. Hight would take a position as the Director of the new U.S. Defense Command and Control Infrastructure practice for HP Enterprise ServicesEducation
Rear Adm. Hight is a graduate of the Defense Systems Management CollegeDefense Acquisition University
The Defense Acquisition University is a United States military training establishment that trains and enables the 147,705 military and civilian Department of Defense personnel in the fields of acquisition, technology, and logistics, including leadership, program management and bureaucratic...
, the Naval Postgraduate School
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
with a master’s degree in Telecommunications Systems, and George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
with a master’s degree in Information Systems
Information systems
Information Systems is an academic/professional discipline bridging the business field and the well-defined computer science field that is evolving toward a new scientific area of study...
.
Awards and decorations
Rear Adm. Hight’s awards include the Defense Superior Service MedalDefense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
(with Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(with Gold Star in lieu of second award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
, Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
(with Gold Star in lieu of third award), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and Air Force Master Space Badge.
Defense Superior Service MedalDefense Superior Service MedalThe Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
with oak leaf cluster
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(with Gold Star in lieu of second award)
Defense Meritorious Service MedalDefense Meritorious Service MedalThe Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
(with Gold Star in lieu of third award)
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
See also
- Defense Information Systems AgencyDefense Information Systems AgencyThe Defense Information Systems Agency is a United States Department of Defense agency that provides information technology and communications support to the President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense, the military Services, and the Combatant Commands.As part of the Base Realignment and...
- Women in the United States NavyWomen in the United States NavyWomen have served in the United States Navy for over a century. Today, there are over 52,391 women serving on active duty in an array of traditional and non-traditional ratings or careers...
Further reading
- Resources, Not Content, Drive Web-Use Decisions
- DoD News Briefing with Rear Adm. Hight from the Pentagon May 17, 2007