WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Monday announced he will
nominate four people to fill key Defense Department posts - including the
former adjutant general of the Pennsylvania National Guard as assistant
secretary of defense for reserve affairs.
The president will nominate Erin C. Conaton as undersecretary of defense for
personnel and readiness; Frank Kendall III as undersecretary for defense for
acquisition, technology and logistics; James N. Miller as undersecretary of
defense for policy; and Jessica Lynn Wright as assistant secretary of defense
for reserve affairs.
The nominations are subject to Senate confirmation.
"I am grateful that these talented and dedicated individuals have agreed to
take on these important roles and devote their talents to serving the
American people. I look forward to working with them in the comings months
and years," the president said.
Conaton currently is undersecretary of the Air Force. She previously served
in various positions on the House Armed Services Committee, culminating in
her term as staff director from 2007 to 2010. From 1998 to 2001, she worked
on the U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century, also known as the
Hart-Rudman Commission. She holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown
University School of Foreign Service and a master's degree from the Fletcher
School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
If confirmed, Conaton will replace Clifford L. Stanley, a retired Marine
Corps major general, who announced his resignation Oct. 27. Stanley held the
office from Feb. 16, 2010. JoAnn Rooney, principal deputy undersecretary for
personnel and readiness, has served as acting undersecretary since Stanley's
departure.
Kendall currently is acting undersecretary for acquisition, technology and
logistics. He previously has served as principal deputy undersecretary in
that department, and in the private sector as a managing partner at
Renaissance Strategic Advisors, a technical and program management
consultant, and vice president of engineering at Raytheon. Kendall's previous
DOD experience includes five years as director of tactical warfare programs,
three years as assistant deputy undersecretary for strategic systems, and
four years as chief of the systems analysis office within the Ballistic
Missile Defense Systems Command. From 1971 to 1982, he served as an Army
officer. He holds a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West
Point, N.Y., a master's degree from the California Institute of Technology, a
master's degree in business administration from Long Island University and a
law degree from Georgetown University.
If confirmed, Kendall will replace former undersecretary Ashton B. Carter,
who was sworn in as deputy defense secretary Oct. 6. Carter served in the
undersecretary position from April 2009.
Miller currently is the principal deputy undersecretary for policy. His
previous positions include senior vice president and director of studies at
the Center for a New American Security, and seven years in senior leadership
at Hicks and Associates Inc. He also has served as deputy assistant secretary
of defense for requirements, plans, and counterproliferation policy. From
1992 to 1997, he was an assistant professor at Duke University. Miller began
his career in 1988 as a professional staff member for the House Armed
Services Committee. He holds a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and
a master's degree and doctorate from the John F. Kennedy School of Government
at Harvard University.
If confirmed, Miller will replace Michèle Flournoy, who announced her
resignation Dec. 12. Flournoy assumed the office in February 2009.
Wright currently serves as deputy assistant secretary for manpower and
personnel. She previously was Pennsylvania's adjutant general and commander
of the Pennsylvania National Guard. She also served as the Army's deputy
adjutant general for the Army and state Army aviation officer for the
Pennsylvania National Guard. She commanded Pennsylvania's 28th Combat
Aviation Brigade, 28th Infantry Division. Wright began her military career in
1975 in the Pennsylvania National Guard. She holds a bachelor's degree from
Alderson and Broaddus College and a master's degree from Webster University.
If confirmed, Wright will replace Dennis M. McCarthy, a retired Marine Corps
Reserve lieutenant general, who resigned effective June 1. McCarthy assumed
the office in June 2009. David L. McGinnis currently serves as acting
assistant secretary for reserve affairs.