Lt Gen Michael V. Hayden, Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service (NSA/CSS), USAF, is pleased to announce that Mr. Harry D. Gatanas, a retired Army general, will be returning to NSA and reassuming the responsibilities of Senior Acquisition Executive (SAE). Mr. Gatanas brings to NSA/CSS over 28 years of active duty service in a wide variety of acquisition assignments. He has served in positions such as the Army's Director For Contracting and was the Army's key staff officer for weapons systems acquisition. During his previous assignment at NSA/CSS, he served as the Agency's first SAE and laid the foundation for broad, systemic reform within the functional areas of contracting and program management. Mr. Gatanas also established processes for major systems procurements and ensured that NSA/CSS' acquisition workforce received the training and development necessary to keep pace with the Agency's revitalized acquisition programs.

"Mr. Gatanas will continue evolving the acquisition reform strategies that he initially launched," Lt Gen Hayden said. "Mr. Gatanas' expertise in Department of Defense acquisition processes, coupled with his prior experiences within NSA/CSS, means that he can begin on day one the critical work of accelerating the plans, execution, and deployment of mission capabilities."

Mr. Gatanas will officially begin his position at NSA/CSS in early December.