Maura C. Sullivan, the current assistant secretary of public and intergovernmental affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, will be named as the new assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said Monday.
A former Marine Corps captain and Iraq War veteran, Ms. Sullivan will be taking over from ATSD Brent Colburn who will be leaving in July. He plans to take time off before pursuing an opportunity outside of government in the fall, the Department of Defense said in a statement.
“I am thrilled to have Maura Sullivan joining the Department of Defense as the assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs,” Mr. Carter said in the statement. “Her life of service and leadership, both in an out of uniform, make her uniquely qualified to run the Pentagon’s public affairs team during this crucial time for the nation and the department. Her understanding of both operational and management issues will be crucial as we seek to tackle the full range of challenges facing the department today from securing a lasting defeat of ISIL to establishing the military’s Force of the Future. She is a true talent and the experience she has gained from the battlefield to the boardroom will make her an invaluable member of my team.”
The defense secretary also praised Mr. Colburn for his work.
“I also want to thank Brent for his leadership and commitment during his years of service to the Obama administration, and in particular during this time of transition within the department,” Mr. Carter said. “His efforts as ATSD have helped to modernize the department’s vast public affairs apparatus, and his steady counsel and communications insight have proven vital as we have tackled hotspots in every corner of the world.”
For Ms. Sullivan’s full bio, click here.
• Maria Stainer can be reached at mstainer@washingtontimes.com.
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