Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and one of the most respected leaders in recent American history, Gates has been at the heart of U.S. intelligence and defense policies over the past four and a half decades.

A former Director of the CIA, Gates has served on the National Security Council and has worked for eight U.S. presidents. As President of Texas A&M, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, and has recently been confirmed the next Chancellor of The College of William and Mary.