CNAS CEO Robert Work Nominated as Deputy Secretary of Defense

Washington, February 7, 2014 – President Barack Obama today nominated Center for a New American Security (CNAS) Chief Executive Officer Robert Work to be Deputy Secretary of Defense.

“We are deeply honored that the President has turned to CNAS once again to fill a senior national security position in his Administration,” said CNAS Board Co-Chair and Co-Founder Dr. Kurt Campbell.  “Bob has made an enormous contribution to CNAS during his tenure and his nomination is testament to the Center’s mission of preparing the national security leaders of today and tomorrow.”

Mr. Work, who joined CNAS in early 2013, will remain the CEO of CNAS until he is confirmed by the Senate.  Upon Senate confirmation of Mr. Work, Michèle Flournoy will serve as Interim CEO until the Center’s board selects a successor.  Ms. Flournoy, who is CNAS Board Co-Chair and Co-Founder and a senior advisor with the Boston Consulting Group, served from 2009 to 2012 as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.  "I look forward to working with the strong leadership team at CNAS - including President Richard Fontaine, Executive Vice President and Director of Studies Shawn Brimley and my fellow board members,” said Flournoy, "to ensure CNAS continues to produce high quality, high impact work on national security through this transition period.” Dr. Campbell will lead the board’s efforts to identify a new chief executive officer.

"Bob Work is among the most gifted analysts and defense leaders of his generation. He will do extraordinary things helping Secretary Hagel lead the Department of Defense,” said former Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig, current member and former Chairman of the CNAS Board of Directors. “I am delighted that Michèle will serve as Interim CEO following Bob’s confirmation. CNAS exists to serve the national security. Secretaries Work and Flournoy help us all by their service."

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