Major General Sarah E. Zabel
Defense Information Systems Agency, USAF
Air Force Major General Sarah E. Zabel is the Vice Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). In this role, she helps to lead a global organization of military, civilian, and contract personnel who plan, develop, deliver, and operate joint, interoperable, command and control capabilities and a global enterprise infrastructure in direct support of the President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Combatant Commanders, Department of Defense components, and other mission partners across the full spectrum of operations.
Maj Gen Zabel leads the efforts of an 8,000-member global organization and manages a $10-billion-dollar annual budget.
Maj Gen Zabel earned her commission from the U.S Air Force Academy in 1987, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. She earned a Master of Science degree in computer science from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
She has served within the communications and cyber field as the 43rd Communications Squadron commander at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, a computer security evaluator at the National Security Agency, a computer and network programmer, an Air Force Academy instructor, and as a staff officer at two combatant commands, the Joint Staff, and the Air Staff. She has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels.
Prior to her current assignment, Maj Gen Zabel was the Director, Cyberspace Strategy and Policy, Office of Information Dominance and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.
Maj Gen Zabel’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Excellence Award, and National Defense Service Medal.
