Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced his appointments today to an independent panel selected to review the Department of Defense’s Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). The Center for American Progress is proud to announce that the Honorable Rudy deLeon, Senior Vice President of National Security and International Policy, is one of the 12 members selected by Secretary Gates to serve on this panel. The 2010 QDR report will assess challenges the nation faces and rebalance DoD’s strategies, capabilities, and forces to address today’s conflicts and tomorrow’s threats. The Center is confident that Mr. deLeon’s expertise will do great service to this panel.
Last year, deLeon served as the chairman of a new board established by the Department of Defense and the Office of Personnel Management tasked with conducting a thorough review of the National Security Personnel System. He serves on the Defense Policy Board at the Department of Defense, which provides the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Undersecretary for Policy with independent, informed advice and opinion concerning matters of defense policy.
Prior to joining the Center, deLeon served as a Senior Vice President for the Boeing Company. His 25 year government career concluded in 2001 after his tenure as Deputy Secretary of Defense, where he was a member of the Deputies Committee of the National Security Council and the National Partnership Council. In earlier Pentagon assignments, deLeon served as Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and as Undersecretary of the Air Force. DeLeon has also served on the Committee on Armed Services in the U.S. House of Representatives as a member of the professional staff and as Staff Director.
DeLeon received the Defense Civilian Distinguished Service Award in 1994, 1995, and 2001, and received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal in 2001. He was recognized by the National League of POW-MIA Families in 1999 and by the National Military Families Association in 2000.
Read more about Rudy deLeon‘s background and work at the Center for American Progress.