Frank Kendall serves as defense under secretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, having been confirmed for this post in May 2012.
He reports to the defense secretary on matters regarding acquisition, research, engineering, developmental testing, contract administration, logistics, materiel readiness, installations, environment, operational energy, weapons of mass destruction, the acquisition workforce and the defense industrial base.
Prior to this appointment, he served as principal deputy under secretary between March 2010 and May 2012 and also as acting undersecretary before his confirmation.
According to the Pentagon, Kendall is a four-decade veteran of engineering, management, defense acquisition and national security affairs in private industry, government and the military.
Within the private sector, he served as vice president of engineering for Raytheon and oversaw internal research and development there. He has also served as a managing partner at Renaissance Strategic Advisors, a Virginia-based aerospace and defense sector consulting firm.
He has also consulted defense industry firms, non-profit research organizations and the Defense Department on strategic planning, engineering management and technology assessment.
His government career includes service as director of tactical warfare programs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and as assistant deputy under secretary for strategic defense systems.
Kendall is a former member of both the Army Science Board and the Defense Intelligence Agency‘s science and technology advisory board. He also was a consultant to the Defense Science Board and a senior adviser to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
His 10-year Army career includes active duty service in Germany, a teaching position in engineering at the U.S. Military Academy and research and development positions.
He is a recipient of military awards including the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
As an attorney, he worked several human rights cases on a pro bono basis with Amnesty International USA, the Tahrih Justice Center and with Human Rights First. He served as board chairman at the Tahrih Center and on the board of directors at Amnesty International.
Federal civilian awards he has received include the Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Executive, Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive and the Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service.
He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and holds a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the California Institute of Technology, an M.B.A. from the C.W. Post Center of Long Island University and a juris doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center.
Coverage of Kendall on ExecutiveGov
Frank Kendall: Pentagon In Sequestration Damage Limitation Mode
Contractors Given Permission to Consult DoD Program Managers about Sequestration; Frank Kendall Comments
Frank Kendall: DoD Starting Sequestration Planning
Frank Kendall: Sequestration Means 11% Line Item Cuts, R&D Included