FitzGerald to lead AT&L reorganization

Ben FitzGerald, a professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, has been appointed to oversee the restructuring of the Pentagon's acquisition, technology and logistics office.

Ellen Lord, the Defense Department's top procurement official, today named FitzGerald director of the office of strategy and design.

Beginning Jan. 2, he "will serve as the central hub within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) to lead the reorganization of AT&L," according to a DOD announcement.

Congress has mandated the restructuring, which calls for Lord to disestablish her office and stand up a new under secretary of defense for research and engineering and a USD for acquisition and sustainment. The reorganization is due to be complete by Feb. 1, 2018.

The Pentagon said today FitzGerald has been appointed as a "highly qualified expert" for five years. Before taking his Senate role, he was director of the technology and national security program at the Center for a New American Security.

"Working from the reorganization plan previously submitted to Congress Aug. 1, 2017, FitzGerald will determine how current AT&L functions fit into the overarching objectives of the new structure and whether those functions should transition to R&E, A&S, another OSD functional lead, the Military Services or be divested altogether," DOD said.