Omar Lopez, former executive assistant director for national security of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, has taken oath as NCIS’ new director. Richard Spencer, secretary of the Navy and 2019 Wash100 Award recipient, swore Lopez in during a ceremony Tuesday, the U.S. Navy said the same day.

Lopez succeeds Andrew Traver who retired on Monday after serving more than six years as NCIS director. Lopez, in his most recent role, oversaw investigations on global terrorism matters such as espionage, cyber operations and insider threat programs. He joined NCIS in 2003 and went on to fill roles in multiple work areas including national security and protective service. Lopez also contributed work to support Iraq’s Coalition Provisional Authority.