New Defense procurement director named

The Defense Department on Wednesday named Deidre Lee as the Pentagon's new

director of procurement. Lee will replace Eleanor Spector, who retired in

February.

In her new role, Lee will manage DOD procurement policies, direct the

Defense Acquisition Regulations Council and develop policy for contract

pricing and financing, administration, international contracting, and training

of DOD contracting personnel. She also will serve as the principal advisor

to Jacques Gansler, undersecretary of Defense for acquisition, technology

and logistics, and be an advisor to the Defense Acquisition Board on procurement

matters.

Lee has been the head of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy since

July 1998. Prior to that, she served as associate administrator for procurement

at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for five years. She

was awarded NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal and Exceptional Achievement

Medal.

Lee will begin her new job later this month, according to the Pentagon.