In 2009, AFCEA renamed its senior intelligence award in honor of Mr. Charles E. Allen.  In doing so, it helped to recognize a legend.  Few if any intelligence professionals have contributed to US intelligence and national security as has Mr. Allen.  Known by his friends and admirers as “Charlie,” he served as a senior government executive for over 25 years (over 51 years total service) with extensive experience in program management, intelligence analysis and production, intelligence collection management, and system acquisition.  He held senior intelligence and management positions with responsibilities for providing all-source intelligence to cabinet-level officials and as a program manager under the Director of National Intelligence.

Mr. Allen is a nationally recognized expert in counterterrorism, homeland security, warning intelligence, and information sharing with regular appearances before Congressional committees.  He is also a frequent speaker at national and international conferences on terrorism and homeland security.  He established an unprecedented program at the Department of Homeland Security for sharing intelligence and intelligence-related information with law enforcement, homeland security officials, and senior executives in the US private sector.  He also managed a sensitive, compartmented White House-driven acquisition program designed to strengthen US national security.

A brief listing of his most prominent assignments includes:

• Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis & Chief Intelligence Officer, Department of Homeland Security
• Assistant Director of Central Intelligence for Collection, Central Intelligence Agency
• National Intelligence Officer for Warning/Director National Warning Staff
• National Intelligence Officer for Counter Terrorism/Deputy Chief for Intelligence, CIA Counterterrorism Center
• Deputy Program Manager of Compartmented White House Directed Program

Since retiring from active government service, Mr. Allen continues to contribute in a variety of ways including as a member of the AFCEA Intelligence Committee.  AFCEA is honored to name its highest intelligence award The Charlie Allen Award for Intelligence.

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