WASHINGTON, D.C. – The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation announced today that Christopher Costa, executive director of the International Spy Museum and a former senior director of counterterrorism on the National Security Council (NSC), has joined its board of directors.
Costa, a former career Army intelligence officer, was responsible for coordinating counterterrorism policy and U.S. hostage recovery activities while at the NSC. In May 2013, he was inducted into the United States Special Operations Command’s Commando Hall of Honor for extraordinary and enduring service to Special Operations forces.
The Foley Foundation was created in 2014 to honor the legacy of James Foley, a freelance journalist who was captured and beheaded by ISIS in Syria in 2014. The foundation is dedicated to advocating for the freedom of all Americans kidnapped and wrongfully detained abroad, improving U.S. hostage policy, and improving the safety and treatment of independent journalists working in dangerous areas.
“Chris brings a wealth of experience in the areas of hostage recovery and counterterrorism, which will add great expertise to our board,” said Diane Foley, mother of James and founder and president of the foundation. “We are grateful that he has chosen to join us and look forward to taking advantage of the knowledge he has gleaned during his distinguished career.”
Costa described hostage taking is an appalling act. “Securing the release and the safe return of American hostages to their loved ones is a righteous cause,” he said.
“As a former intelligence officer with Special Operations Forces (SOF) I have worked to help find American hostages overseas, and later as a policymaker at the White House I worked on the recovery of hostages. This brings me full circle to now work with distinguished colleagues on the board of the Foley Foundation.”
Costa holds an M.A. in strategic intelligence from American Military University; an M.A. in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College; and a B.A. from Norwich University. His military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and two Bronze Stars. He is also an adjunct associate professor at the Center for Security Studies.
