James A. Winnefeld Jr.
James Alexander "Sandy" Winnefeld Jr. (born April 24, 1956) is a retired United States Navy admiral who serves as the chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board since May 4, 2022. While on active duty, Winnefeld served as the ninth vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from August 4, 2011, to July 31, 2015.
Sandy Winnefeld | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board | |
| Assumed office May 4, 2022 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Steve Feinberg |
| Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff | |
| In office August 4, 2011 – July 31, 2015 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | James Cartwright |
| Succeeded by | Paul J. Selva |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Alexander Winnefeld Jr. April 24, 1956 Coronado, California, U.S. |
| Relatives | James A. Winnefeld Sr. (father) |
| Education | Georgia Institute of Technology (BS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1978–2015 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff United States Northern Command North American Aerospace Defense Command United States Sixth Fleet Carrier Strike Group Two USS Enterprise (CVN-65) USS Cleveland (LPD-7) VF-211 |
| Battles/wars | Operation Desert Shield Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Cross (Canada) |
He previously served as the fourth commander of U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the 21st commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) from May 19, 2010, to August 3, 2011.
Prior to that, Winnefeld served as Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Staff which he concurrently served as the Senior Member, U.S. Delegation to the U.N. Military Staff Committee. His other operational commands include serving as the commander of U.S. Sixth Fleet and commander of Allied Joint Command Lisbon.
As the vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Winnefeld was the second highest-ranking officer in the United States Armed Forces, second only to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 2015, he retired from the Navy after over 37 years of service. He currently serves on the board of directors for Raytheon Technologies, one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the world.