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Release
Immediate Release

New Officials Sworn-in at the Department of Defense

May 11, 2021

The following individuals have been sworn-in virtually or in-person from March 30, 2021, through May 10, 2021. 

  • Elsa Alvarado, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs for Strategic Communications
  • Warren Bass, Director of Speechwriting, Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
  • Samuel Brannen, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Plans and Posture
  • Chidi Blyden, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs
  • Kathy Chung, Deputy Director of Protocol, Office of the Secretary of Defense
  • Elena Crespa, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
  • Michael Donley, Director of Administration & Management
  • Keenan Geter, Protocol Officer, Office of the Secretary of Defense
  • Dr. Colin Kahl, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
  • Jamie Pinkham, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)
  • Rachel Ross, Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Army
  • Valentine Sanders, Director, Travel Operations, Office of the Secretary of Defense
  • Lauren Vargas, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Air Force

For the lists of personnel sworn-in previously, please see the releases on Jan. 20, 2021, Feb. 9, 2021, Feb. 16, 2021, Feb. 22, 2021, March 1, 2021, March 9, 2021, March 15, 2021, and March 29, 2021.