Talent Search

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is seeking a list of candidates to replace Pentagon acquisition czar Ashton Carter, who has been tapped to be the new deputy defense secretary.

“I've obviously asked for a whole list of individuals that we think can replace [Carter] and that have an industry knowledge that I think is important to that job,” Panetta told reporters today.

His comments come two days after President Obama announced plans to nominate Carter to be the Pentagon's No. 2 official. Panetta called Carter “serious-minded and very capable.”

“That's the primary interest that I have is making sure that the deputy understands this department and can help me manage this department, and I think that Ash will do an outstanding job at that,” Panetta said.