Trey Whitworth

Few leaders have guided artificial intelligence initiatives on the scale of Trey Whitworth. Throughout more than three decades of active service in the Navy, the retired Vice Admiral oversaw the integration of emerging technologies into some of the government’s most important intelligence and national security missions, including as the eighth Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).

Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Whitworth explores one of the defining leadership challenges of our time: how to embrace AI without losing human judgment. He examines why organizations often resist transformative change and shares his “Glancing Intelligence” framework, a practical approach to communicating in a world where leaders increasingly build understanding by scanning rather than reading.

Charged with leading one of the nation’s largest intelligence agencies, Whitworth transformed NGA’s culture into one of mission focus and combat effectiveness while expanding AI capabilities across every military service and combatant command. His career also included combat deployments, special operations assignments, service in the White House Situation Room, and leadership roles supporting critical national security missions.

Over the course of his service, Whitworth advised the nation’s most senior military leaders, serving as intelligence director to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Africa Command, Joint Special Operations Command, and Naval Forces in the Arabian Gulf before taking on senior leadership roles at the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Central Command. Today, as CEO of r4 Federal, he helps organizations apply AI and predictive analytics to improve forecasting, strengthen supply chains, and make faster, more informed decisions. A Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Whitworth remains engaged in the strategic issues shaping technology, security, and global competition.

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