In June 2020, Mr. Dave Spirk was appointed as the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Chief Data Officer (CDO). In this role he’s been asked to standup the DoD’s Data Office and drive a strong focus on warfighter needs, data governance, and a data ready workforce to create a strong data culture across the department.

In July 2018, Dave joined the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) as its first CDO where he was also dual hatted as the Director of Artificial Intelligence for US Special Operation Forces (SOF). In his role as a direct report to the USSOCOM Commander, he was responsible for the creation of a data driven decision making culture while leading the integration of Artificial Intelligence across all US Special Operations Forces (SOF). During his time at USSOCOM he developed and implemented SOF’s Data and AI Strategies, established and opened USSOCOM’s Data Engineering Lab, and established partnerships with AI leaders in the commercial and academic space.

After resigning from the Defense Intelligence Agency to undertake entrepreneurial interests, he was recruited back to the DoD in early-2017, to serve as the Associate Director for Technology Investment at the Secretary of the Air Force’s Concept Development and Management Office. His primary task was to stand up and lead the DoD’s first training quality data production refinery for the Algorithmic Warfare Cross Functional Team (aka, Project Maven).

Dave was previously the Deputy Director of Intelligence at United States Central Command (USCENTCOM). As the Deputy Director of Intelligence (J2) for Operations, Dave led the USCENTCOM J2's Divisions for Operations, Plans, Intelligence Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, and Foreign Disclosure/Special Security Office. He arrived at USCENTCOM in 2010 but quickly moved forward to Afghanistan where he served as the Senior Intelligence Advisor to the Commander of the International Security and Assistance Force.

In 2008, Dave was selected by the Director of National Intelligence to stand up the Associate Director of National Intelligence for Afghanistan and Pakistan (ADNI Af/Pak) and was retained by the ADNI Af/Pak to serve as its Deputy and Chief of Operations. In this role, Dave was responsible for overseeing daily operations, working with senior officials across the US Interagency, while also ensuring strategic alignment of the Intelligence Community’s (IC) Af/Pak and counter-terrorism missions. Dave regularly represented the senior-IC position on Af/Pak matters at the White House and with congressional leaders. Dave originally joined the ODNI in 2006 to be the Chief of Operations for the Cuba/Venezuela Mission Manager where he also took the lead role in developing and implementing the US IC’s strategy to support US Interagency and Government of Mexico efforts against the expanding influence and violence of drug cartels.

Prior to joining the ODNI, Dave stood up the USSOUTHCOM Intelligence Directorate’s Venezuela Division as a Department of Army Civilian. He was also the Strategic Planning Process' Mission Panel Chair for Ensure Domain Awareness.

Dave is a former Marine who served across echelons at various east coast United States Marine Corps elements setting the stage for many deployments throughout the Balkans, Africa, and South Asia. As a member of Task Force-58, more specifically the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), he participated in the seizure of Kandahar Airfield and the reopening of the American Embassy in Kabul. Following his time in Afghanistan, Dave received orders to United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). While working at USSOUTHCOM he deployed to Colombia numerous times and held various analytic/targeting positions before receiving an honorable discharge.

Dave is married to Amy Weiss, MD, and they have two sons: Eli (8) and Hudson (6). He remains an entrepreneur who most recently founded and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of a successful technology forward basketball training business.