Carter served as a PNSR Guiding Coalition member until joining the Obama-Biden Transition Team in November.

He is a professor of science and international affairs at Harvard University’s School of Government. He served as assistant secretary of defense for international security policy from 1993 to 1996 in the Clinton Administration. He also served on the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Countering Terrorism and advised on the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.

In response to Carter’s nomination, PNSR Executive Director James R. Locher III issued the following statement:

“Ash Carter is incredibly talented on a wide range of defense issues, including acquisition matters. Given the Obama Administration’s determination to fix serious problems in the defense acquisition system, Ash Carter is a wise choice for this assignment. PNSR was indeed fortunate to have Ash Carter as a member of its Guiding Coalition.”

In addition, former PNSR Working Group Leader for Processes Kathleen Hicks has been appointed Deputy Under Secretary of Defense in charge of planning, strategy and force development.

Of the Hicks appointment, Locher said, “Kath Hicks contributed to PNSR’s analytic efforts for more than two years. Her knowledge of the policy, strategy, planning, execution, and assessment processes was invaluable to our work.”

Carter and Hicks join four other PNSR alumni with extensive government experience and supportive of the need to overhaul the U.S. national security system tapped to serve in the Obama Administration. The others are: General James L. Jones as National Security Advisor, Admiral Dennis C. Blair for Director of National Intelligence, Michèle Flournoy as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and James B. Steinberg as Deputy Secretary of State.

“These six PNSR alumni understand the organizational problems that are plaguing the national security system and what needs to be done to fix them. PNSR looks forward to providing assistance to their efforts,” Locher said. “ The other members of the Guiding Coalition and the entire PNSR community congratulate Ash Carter, Jim Jones, Denny Blair, Jim Steinberg and Michèle Flournoy and Kath Hicks on their selections for these important positions.”