Jennifer M. Stewart, former staff director of the House Armed Services Committee and former chief of staff to the Secretary of Defense, will be the next executive vice president for strategy and policy for the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), effective September 26, the Arlington, VA-based defense association announced September 12.
NDIA Chairman retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Arnold Punaro said, “Jen Stewart brings superb and proven credentials and experience, battle tested leadership skills coupled with keen insights and instincts from industry as well as top positions in the legislative and executive branches. She will be a dynamic, influential, and powerful advocate on behalf of NDIA, as a policy focused organization, and the defense industry in the highly complex and impactful policy arena. NDIA’s executive committee unanimously approved her hiring.”
Stewart has eighteen years of public service, including over twelve years of work in senior national security positions. She served as the chief of staff to the secretary of defense and was responsible for leading the secretary of defense’s executive staff and providing counsel and advice to the secretary on all matters concerning the department.
Previously Stewart served as both the majority and minority staff director at the House Armed Services Committee. In this capacity, she was the principal staff advisor responsible for the formulation, passage, and enactment of annual defense authorization legislation, which covers all programs and activities at the Department of Defense as well as the national security programs at the Department of Energy. She was also responsible for the strategic planning and execution of all committee oversight and legislative operations.
Prior to her tenure as staff director, she served as senior advisor to General (ret.) Joseph F. Dunford, J.R. during his first term as chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this role, she was responsible for facilitating his relationships across the interagency and with Congress. Stewart started her career working in the U.S. House of Representatives to include serving as the policy advisor on all national security matters for Speaker Boehner.
“It is an honor to be selected to serve as Executive Vice President for Strategy and Policy at NDIA,” Stewart said. “A vibrant, innovative, modern, and diverse defense industry is vital to our nation’s security and to our warfighters and DoD civilian professionals. It is a privilege to work with the department and Congress to support effective policies, authorities, and funding to maintain our competitive advantage.”
Stewart’s selection came following a thorough and thoughtful search with the support of the executive search firm Russell Reynolds. The Hon. David L. Norquist, the president and CEO of NDIA, said, “We sought and found a leader with extensive and proven experience working on a bi-partisan basis with industry, the legislative branch and the executive branch. Someone who understands the policy challenges facing our nation and our defense industrial base and has a strong ethical character and an unwavering commitment to our national security.”
Source: NDIA
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