Windward names retired Navy Vice Adm. Robert “Bob” Sharp its CMIO

VADM Robert “Bob” Sharp, USN (Ret.)

Maritime AI specialist Windward has named VADM Robert “Bob” Sharp, USN (Ret.) its chief maritime intelligence officer (CMIO). Sharp comes to the position with decades of experience at the highest levels of the U.S. defense and intelligence establishment, and will work directly with Windward CEO and co-founder Ami Danniel, to shape Windward’s intelligence strategy and deepen its engagement with defense, government, commercial and national security customers worldwide.

Sharp’s career spans 34 years as a career naval intelligence officer, culminating in his role as Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), where he led one of America’s premier intelligence agencies, overseeing more than 14,000 personnel operating at 120 locations worldwide. He previously served as Director of the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office (NMIO) and Commanding Officer of the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), giving him leadership experience with three of the U.S. government’s most consequential maritime and geospatial intelligence organizations. He also served as Director for Intelligence at U.S. Special Operations Command. 

“Bob Sharp is one of the most respected figures in maritime and national security intelligence in the world, and we are proud to welcome him as chief maritime intelligence officer for Windward,” said Daniel. “Bob is a true authority in maritime intelligence, having led the NGA, ONI, and NMIO, and his unmatched expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we advance our maritime AI capabilities to meet the rigorous demands of our customers. We are honored to have him join us.”

“Windward has done something genuinely impressive, building a maritime intelligence solution that is not only technically advanced but operationally instrumental to the people who need it most,” said Sharp, “The maritime domain has never been more congested, contested or more consequential to global security, and Windward’s ability to deliver continuous, predictive, decision-ready intelligence at scale is exactly what operators and policymakers need.”

Sharp joins Windward as demand for advanced maritime intelligence is accelerating, as geopolitical tensions, expanding sanctions regimes, and evolving threats at sea continues. Windward says that his appointment underscores its commitment to providing solutions that meet the most rigorous standards of the defense, security and intelligence communities as the company advances toward more agentic, outcome-driven maritime AI capabilities.

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