Nominations Now OPEN for the 2026 William Oliver Baker Award!
For more than 40 years, the William Oliver Baker Award has honored extraordinary leaders whose vision and service have left an indelible mark on U.S. intelligence and national security affairs.
Submit Your Nomination!
Send the nominee's full name and a short statement of support to nominations@insaonline.org by Friday, October 3, 2025.
Award Criteria:
- Sustained excellence over a career or a singular achievement of extraordinary merit.
- Contributions that significantly advanced U.S. intelligence or national security.
- Technical innovation, outstanding management, or cost-saving advancements of major impact.
A Legacy of Excellence
Past recipients include former CIA Director The Hon. William J. Burns; Former Director NSA/Commander U.S. Cyber Command GEN Paul M. Nakasone, USA (Ret.); Vincent R. Stewart, and former Governor Tom Ridge.
Save the Date! The 2026 William Oliver Baker Award Dinner
INSA will host the 41st William Oliver Baker Award Dinner on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 6:00-10:00 pm at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Hundreds of intelligence, defense, and national security professionals gather every year to celebrate an individual's extraordinary contributions to U.S. intelligence and national security affairs. Additional Details Coming Soon!
William Oliver Baker: Scientist, Inventor, Scholar, and Stateman.
For decades, the William Oliver Baker Award has served as a mark of excellence, distinguishing an extraordinary individual for their sustained commitment to excellence in intelligence and national security affairs.
The four words on the medal honor the defining aspects of Dr. Baker’s life – Scientist, Inventor, Scholar, and Statesman.
Dr. Baker was a prominent scientist, former head of Bell Labs, a trusted advisor to five U.S. Presidents, a director and advisor to multiple philanthropic foundations and educational commissions, and a mentor to scores of renowned scientists. During his nearly 25 years with Bell Labs, Dr. Baker and his team made significant discoveries in telecommunications including the laser, satellite systems, and the UNIX computer operating systems, among many others, which set the foundation for the robust technologies and platforms we use today.
In 1959, at President Eisenhower’s request, he developed a plan for the establishment of the Defense Communications Agency, presently the Defense Information Systems Agency. Baker continued to serve his country on the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (PFIAB) for multiple presidents beginning in 1956. Dr. Baker also served on the National Security Agency’s Scientific Advisory Board for 20 years. In 1982, Dr. Baker was presented with the National Security Medal by President Ronald Reagan to honor his tremendous contributions.
Dr. William Oliver Baker’s distinguished career is the embodiment of the INSA spirit and mission. By leading the effort to unify the public and private sectors in the name of national security, Dr. Baker effected profound change in national security and intelligence.
INSA established the William Oliver Baker Award Dinner in 1984 to promote excellence in the intelligence and national security activities of the U.S. government and associated endeavors through the private sector. The award annually recognizes outstanding leaders in the field for their exceptional achievements and sustained contributions or single achievements of extraordinary merit. Recent recipients include GEN Paul M. Nakasone, USA, (Retired); LtGen Vincent R. Stewart, USMC; Gov. Tom Ridge; and The Hon. Sue Gordon.
Relive the Memories of the 2025 Dinner!
More than 700 intelligence, defense, and national security professionals gathered on Saturday, July 26, for the 40th William Oliver Baker Award Dinner at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. The evening celebrated The Hon. William J. Burns, former Director of the CIA, for his extraordinary leadership and enduring contributions to U.S. national security. From start to finish, there was a strong sense of community in the room, one defined by mutual respect, deep purpose, and lasting commitment to the mission.
