Jeff Kruse is Installed as 23rd Director 

of Defense Intelligence Agency

P.H.S. graduate Lieutenant General Jeffrey A. Kruse, USAF, was installed as the 23rd director of the Defense Intelligence Agency on February 2, in a ceremony at the DIA headquarters in Washington, DC.

Lt. Gen. Kruse was nominated by President Biden on June 5, 2023 with Senate confirmation delayed for months by a hold placed on such nominations by Alabama U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville. A term as Director of the DIA is traditionally three years.

In the President’s June 5 nomination announcement, Director of National Intelligence Avril D. Haines, who spoke at the ceremony, described Lt., Gen. Kruse by stating “His deep experience across the intelligence community, his integrity, his kindness, his ability to listen, his deep commitment in doing right by the workforce, and his capacity to work with diverse perspectives to find solutions that are in the best interest of the country are all qualities … that will be vital to his success as DIA’s newest director, pending confirmation,” she added.”

A 1986 graduate of Pettisville High School, Jeff is the son of Arnold and the late Joan Kruse. Ceremony attendees included his sister, Mary Hill, and her family as well as Dr. Steve Switzer, who was superintendent during Jeff’s high school years, and Pettisville teacher Andrew Switzer.

Director Kruse and his wife, Dr. Susie Kruse, sponsor the Pettisville School Foundation’s “Kruse Leadership Award,” awarded annually to Pettisville High School student.

To watch the Change of Directorship at DIA held on February 2, 2024 please click here:

https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/33544

The Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency is a three star military intelligence officer who, upon nomination by the President and confirmation by the Senate, serves as the nation's highest-ranking military intelligence officer.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIA AND CIA? DIA and CIA are both members of the Intelligence Community. The CIA is focused on providing intelligence to the president and his Cabinet, whereas DIA is the principal source of foreign intelligence to combat-related missions.

WHO WORKS FOR DIA? More than 16,500 men and women work for the worldwide DIA workforce. Our workforce is a mix of military employees including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Department of Defense civilians.

WHAT IS THE DIA'S BUDGET?  Our budget consists of justified requirements, and is analyzed by DoD and congressional budget committees. Exact numbers and specific budget information are not released to the public due to security reasons.

DIA LEADERSHIP The Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is a three-star military officer that rotates between Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines approximately every three years and is the principal adviser to the Secretary of Defense and to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters of military intelligence. The DIA Director also chairs the Military Intelligence Board, which coordinates activities of the defense intelligence community. DIA has a Deputy Director and a Command Senior Enlisted Leader.

WHEN WAS THE DIA CREATED? The Defense Intelligence Agency was formed in October 1961 during the presidency of John F. Kennedy to centralize the managing, collection, processing, analysis and dissemination of military intelligence. “Only a year later, in October 1962, the Agency faced what would become the gravest crisis of the Cold War when the Soviet Union secretly placed nuclear-capable ballistic missiles in Cuba. DIA’s analysts played a key role in the discovery of the missiles, noting that the placement of Soviet surface-to-air missile sites mirrored those around ballistic missile bases in the Soviet Union.” 

Bev was a creative writer who enjoyed writing a column in the Fulton County Expositor for many years. She also performed in many plays in the Archbold Community Theater and taught Junior High Sunday School at North Clinton and Central Mennonite Churches.

Late in life, she became a part of a research study by the National Institute of Mental Health, and Before non-hodgkin's lymphoma ended her life, she stipulated that her brain be given to that group for further studies. She donated a large portion of her estate to charities, among them the Pettisville School Foundation.

The gift was presented to the PSF by her sister, Kathleen Grieser at the Pettisville School Foundation’s Trustee meeting on September 29, 2022. The Pettisville School Foundation wishes to extend its sincere appreciation for Bev’s donation.

A Brief History of the Pettisville School Foundation

Receipt of the $111,000 Meister gift to the board of education in 1982 planted the seed of thought that others might like to donate to the Pettisville Local School and that an organization to encourage such contributions might be worthwhile.

After researching the concept, Stephen Switzer, Pettisville School Superintendent, assembled a group of interested individuals to consider forming an educational foundation. Individuals included Gary Frazier, Steve Graffice, Myrl Sauder, Rod Nofziger, Valetta Werder, Jan Stamm, Golda Boyer, and Mr. Switzer.

In November, 1986, a press conference was held in the high school library announcing the formation of the “Pettisville School Foundation” and receipt of a $1,000 gift from Henry Keller, the first gift to the PSF, and a $10,000 gift from Valetta Werder, fifth grade teacher at Pettisville, to endow the “Richard Werder Memorial Scholarship” in memory of her husband.

The foundation organization included a board of trustees, with two trustees appointed by the board of education and seven elected by the membership. Founding trustees include Chris Rychener, President; Luana Esterline, Vice President, Valetta Werder, Secretary-Treasurer; Golda Boyer, Gary Frazier, Steve Graffice, Rod Nofziger, Myrl Sauder, and Ruth Wyse.

Superintendent Switzer was appointed executive director. PHS grads attorney Jan Stamm and accountant Dave Rupp agreed to assist in legal and accounting areas. At the time of its founding, the PSF was one of the first local school foundations in the state. Since that time, the PSF has provided assistance in the creation of numerous area school foundations.