Cofer Black
Director, CIA Counterterrorists Center (1999-2002), Coordinator for Counterterrorism & Ambassador at Large (2002-2004)
Exclusive Representation by Greater Talent Network
Working amidst terrorist plots and assassination attempts, Cofer Black's life reads like a real-life Hollywood spy movie. As a career C.I.A. counterterrorist operator, he consistently put his life on the line to protect the United States from terrorism. He was the Director of the C.I.A.'s Counterterrorist Center from 1999 through the horror of September 11th and led the CIA's immediate worldwide retaliation against Al-Qaeda. He became the prominent figure in the manhunt for deadly terrorists. Operating throughout hostile territories in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East, Black and his fellow C.I.A. operators repeatedly faced death and bodily harm with bravery and determination.
Black is a defender of human rights, democracy and a prominent hero in the war on terror. He held the position of Task Force Chair in the Near East and South Asia Division in 1995, the Deputy Chief of the Latin America Division from 1998 to 1999 and in 2002 was sworn in as the State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism with the rank of Ambassador at Large. Prior to joining the State Department Ambassador Black was Director of the C.I.A. Counterterrorist Center and responsible for all counterterrorist operations and analysis, fostering international relationships, and coordinating U.S. Government efforts to modify counterterrorism cooperation with foreign security services. During his C.I.A. career, Ambassador Black served six foreign tours in field management positions focusing on counterterrorism, as well as addressing regional security issues, counterintelligence and covert action. Black also conceived, planned and led the CIA's war in Afghanistan.
His experience as a political spokesperson has given him the ease and talent with which he speaks publicly today. At the podium, Black speaks from the perspective of having altered America's War on Terror both by having put his life and the lives of his colleagues at C.I.A. on the line against terrorism as well as by formulating U.S. Government counterterrorist policy as Coordinator at the Department of State. He explains terrorism by delving into the minds and motivations of the world's deadliest terrorists, including Osama Bin Laden. Death threats, deadly operations, surviving the trenches of war and terror: Black discusses the events that impact all our lives and make his work legendary.
After his resignation at the start of George W. Bush's second term, Cofer Black served as Vice Chairman at Blackwater USA, leading the company to provide security training and tactical solutions for the 21st century. Most recently, Black became Chairman of Total Intelligence Solutions, a firm that provides Fortune 1000 companies with comprehensive solutions for private intelligence.
His work in the CIA is discussed in Bob Woodward's Bush at War, Steve Coll's Ghost Wars, and Gary Schroen's recently released book, First In, on the war in Afghanistan. Billy Waugh's book, Hunting the Jackal, illustrates the search for Carlos the Jackal, a terrorist Black was credited for bringing down in 1994.
In addition to the many awards in exceptional performance, Black has received the Distinguished Intelligence Medal and the George H. Bush Medal for Excellence.
Black was born in Stamford, Connecticut and received his BA and MA in International Relations at the University of Southern California in 1973 and 1974.
Interested in booking Cofer Black to speak at your next event?
Black is a defender of human rights, democracy and a prominent hero in the war on terror. He held the position of Task Force Chair in the Near East and South Asia Division in 1995, the Deputy Chief of the Latin America Division from 1998 to 1999 and in 2002 was sworn in as the State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism with the rank of Ambassador at Large. Prior to joining the State Department Ambassador Black was Director of the C.I.A. Counterterrorist Center and responsible for all counterterrorist operations and analysis, fostering international relationships, and coordinating U.S. Government efforts to modify counterterrorism cooperation with foreign security services. During his C.I.A. career, Ambassador Black served six foreign tours in field management positions focusing on counterterrorism, as well as addressing regional security issues, counterintelligence and covert action. Black also conceived, planned and led the CIA's war in Afghanistan.
His experience as a political spokesperson has given him the ease and talent with which he speaks publicly today. At the podium, Black speaks from the perspective of having altered America's War on Terror both by having put his life and the lives of his colleagues at C.I.A. on the line against terrorism as well as by formulating U.S. Government counterterrorist policy as Coordinator at the Department of State. He explains terrorism by delving into the minds and motivations of the world's deadliest terrorists, including Osama Bin Laden. Death threats, deadly operations, surviving the trenches of war and terror: Black discusses the events that impact all our lives and make his work legendary.
After his resignation at the start of George W. Bush's second term, Cofer Black served as Vice Chairman at Blackwater USA, leading the company to provide security training and tactical solutions for the 21st century. Most recently, Black became Chairman of Total Intelligence Solutions, a firm that provides Fortune 1000 companies with comprehensive solutions for private intelligence.
His work in the CIA is discussed in Bob Woodward's Bush at War, Steve Coll's Ghost Wars, and Gary Schroen's recently released book, First In, on the war in Afghanistan. Billy Waugh's book, Hunting the Jackal, illustrates the search for Carlos the Jackal, a terrorist Black was credited for bringing down in 1994.
In addition to the many awards in exceptional performance, Black has received the Distinguished Intelligence Medal and the George H. Bush Medal for Excellence.
Black was born in Stamford, Connecticut and received his BA and MA in International Relations at the University of Southern California in 1973 and 1974.
Interested in booking Cofer Black to speak at your next event?
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- Terrorism: Past, Present & Future
