After 33 years of service and 3 years at his current title, CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell has decided to step down. The retirement will be official on August 9th.
Morell says that it is now time for him to spend more time with his family.
“I am passionate about two things in this world – the Agency and my family. And while I have given everything I have to the Central Intelligence Agency and its vital mission for a third of a century, it is now time for me to give everything I have to my family,” said Morell.
In his time at the CIA, Morell served as the Presidential Briefer, Associate Deputy Director, Director for Intelligence, Deputy Director, and Acting Director.
“I will miss many things about this Agency and about the job that I have been blessed with for the last three years. But most of all, I will miss the people – the talented and dedicated officers on the senior leadership team, my colleagues on the Deputies Committee with whom I have spent countless hours in the Situation Room, and, most of all, the CIA workforce – the heroes of this place, the people at the pointy end of the spear, the patriots who do the work of keeping the country safe every day.”
Morell has been appointed to the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board – a kind of retired intelligence officers’ club that helps advise the White House on important security matters.
“As much as I would selfishly like to keep Michael right where he is for as long as possible, he has decided to retire to spend more time with his family and to pursue other professional opportunities. In many respects, Michael has come to personify the strengths and qualities of this great organization, and it is difficult for me to imagine CIA without Michael’s exceptionally sharp mind, tremendous energy, and absolute dedication to mission. But I am comforted by the fact that Michael will be able to spend more time with his wonderful family,” said CIA Director John Brennan.
The CIA announced that Avril Haines will be replacing Morell as Deputy Director. She formerly served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Legal Adviser to the National Security Council. She will be the first woman to hold the position.