Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn is following Robert Gates out the Pentagon door.
Lynn announced today that he is stepping down this fall to give new Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta ample time to find a replacement.
“It has been a rare privilege to serve in the Department of Defense during such a challenging time,” said Lynn. “And it has been an honor to serve alongside an outstanding group of civilian and military members who every day demonstrate the value to this nation of their unwavering commitment and dedicated service.”
Lynn is the third-long serving deputy secretary in the post-Cold War era and has spent nearly two decades in government service, including as national security advisor to Ted Kennedy and a senior advisor to five secretaries of defense.
According to DoD, Lynn helped the department navigate new strategic and fiscal realities, while supporting efforts in two wars. He helped create a new space policy, the department’s first ever operational-energy strategy, and a landmark cyber strategy to protect the nation in the digital age, including the creation of the U.S. Cyber Command.
He has yet to announce future plans, but intends to stay in the area.
Lynn’s bio:
William J. Lynn III is the 30th Deputy Secretary of Defense. Mr. Lynn’s career has included extensive public service at various levels within government. Mr. Lynn served as the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) from 1997 until 2001 and for four years prior to that he was the Director of Program Analysis and Evaluation (PA&E) in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Before entering the Department of Defense in 1993, Mr. Lynn served for six years on the staff of Senator Edward Kennedy as liaison to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Prior to 1987, he was a senior fellow at the National Defense University and was on the professional staff of the Institute for Defense Analyses. From 1982 to 1985, he served as the executive director of the Defense Organization Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Mr. Lynn also has experience in the private sector from 2001-2009. He served as senior vice president of Government Operations and Strategy at Raytheon Company. He also served as executive vice president of DFI International, a Washington-based management consulting firm, from 2001 to 2002.
A graduate of Dartmouth College, Mr. Lynn has a law degree from Cornell Law School and a master’s in public affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. His publications include a book, Toward a More Effective Defense, as well as articles in various newspapers and professional journals. He has been recognized for numerous professional and service contributions, including three DoD medals for distinguished public service, the Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
William J. Lynn III is the 30th Deputy Secretary of Defense. Mr. Lynn’s career has included extensive public service at various levels within government. Mr. Lynn served as the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) from 1997 until 2001 and for four years prior to that he was the Director of Program Analysis and Evaluation (PA&E) in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Before entering the Department of Defense in 1993, Mr. Lynn served for six years on the staff of Senator Edward Kennedy as liaison to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Prior to 1987, he was a senior fellow at the National Defense University and was on the professional staff of the Institute for Defense Analyses. From 1982 to 1985, he served as the executive director of the Defense Organization Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Mr. Lynn also has experience in the private sector from 2001-2009. He served as senior vice president of Government Operations and Strategy at Raytheon Company. He also served as executive vice president of DFI International, a Washington-based management consulting firm, from 2001 to 2002.
A graduate of Dartmouth College, Mr. Lynn has a law degree from Cornell Law School and a master’s in public affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. His publications include a book, Toward a More Effective Defense, as well as articles in various newspapers and professional journals. He has been recognized for numerous professional and service contributions, including three DoD medals for distinguished public service, and the Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
