DOD axes nine Defense Business Board members to bring in Trump loyalists

By Tony Bertuca / December 4, 2020 at 2:50 PM

Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller today announced nine members of the Defense Business Board have been terminated and replaced.

They have been replaced by incoming members Corey Lewandowski, President Trump's former campaign manager; David Bossie, the former deputy campaign manager who is now working on the president's unsuccessful election lawsuits; Henry Dreifus; Robert McMahon; Cory Mills; Bill Bruner; Christopher Shank; Joseph Schmidt; Keary Miller; Alan Weh and Earl Matthews.

The nine members who were removed are: Chairman Michael Bayer, Arnold Punaro, Atul Vashisitha, John O'Connor, David Venlet, Paul Dolan, Scott Dorn, David Walker and David Van Slyke.

Miller said they were serving in "expired positions."

Bayer, the ousted chairman, told Inside Defense he was actually appointed to a two-year term that doesn't expire until "late 2021."

One member who was terminated from the board said no rationale was given for the dismissals, "just a perfunctory email."

A congressional staffer characterized the board shake up as "allowable, but not great."

The board was established in 2002 to provide Pentagon leaders with independent advice on business management issues. The reshuffle also coincides with a similar move the Trump administration ordered on the Defense Policy Board.

Miller became defense secretary several weeks ago after Trump fired Mark Esper.

"I'm proud to welcome each of these new members to the Defense Business Board and I look forward to their contributions to help guide the Department's business efforts in the coming years," Miller said. "These individuals have a proven record of achievement within their respective fields and have demonstrated leadership that will serve our department, and our nation well."

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