On Friday, President Trump announced his nomination of Michael D. Griffin, an Alabamian, to be Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics.

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (OUSD AT&L) serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense in all matters regarding acquisition, technology, and logistics. According to the OUSD(AT&L) website, Congress has authorized the office to supervise Department of Defense acquisition, establish acquisition policies for all elements of the Department of Defense (including procurement of goods and services, research and development, testing, and contract administration), establish logistic policies for the Department of Defense, and establish policies to maintain the defense industrial base of the United States.

In addition to those duties, the office also has oversight responsibility to several military installations, including chemical, biological, and nuclear defense programs.

Dr. Griffin has most recently served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Schafer Corporation. The Schafer Corporation provides scientific, engineering, and technical services and products in the national security sector. He has also served as the administrator of NASA, where his successes included the architecture for space shuttle replacement, plans for human return to the moon, and the development of the first commercial cargo delivery service to Earth’s orbit.

Griffin has received many accolades throughout his career, including the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, the AIAA Space Systems Medal, and the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal. He also boasts degrees from Johns Hopkins University, the Catholic University of America, the University of Maryland, the University of Southern California, Loyola College; and George Washington University.

If confirmed, Griffin will serve alongside Ellen M. Lord, who was confirmed by the Senate in August 2017 as Under Secretary for Defense (AT&L).