CNAS Board Member Doug Beck Selected as Director of Defense Innovation Unit

Washington, May 10, 2023—The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) congratulates Doug Beck, a member of the CNAS Board of Directors, on being selected as Director of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) at the U.S. Department of Defense.

In this role, Beck will oversee efforts to accelerate the Department's adoption of commercial technology throughout the military and also serve as a senior advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on technology innovation, competition, and strategic impact.

Simultaneous with Beck’s appointment, Secretary Austin announced the elevation of the office to report directly to the Secretary of Defense.

Beck has served on the CNAS Board since 2015 and has also been a featured speaker at CNAS Shawn Brimley Next Generation National Security Leaders Program events.

"Doug Beck is a brilliant choice to lead the Defense Innovation Unit," said CNAS Chief Executive Officer Richard Fontaine. "Doug not only understands the tech world but has been a leader in it. A visionary in both the private sector and in military service, Doug will bring enormous talent and energy to this critical role."

Beck previously served as Vice President, Worldwide Education, Health, and Government at Apple, Inc. Prior to that role, he was the Vice President for the Americas and Northeast Asia for Apple, Inc. He is a Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve and has served extensively throughout the Asia Pacific region during his nearly 26 years of service, including command of a large joint reserve unit supporting U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

"Doug is an ideal pick to lead DIU at this stage of its evolution," said Michèle Flournoy, Chair of the CNAS Board of Directors. "He will bring a unique blend of business acumen, tech fluency, extensive relationships across the defense and tech ecosystems, and deep familiarity with the needs of the warfighter. His leadership will be critical to helping DoD speed and scale its adoption of innovative capabilities and concepts to strengthen deterrence in an era of strategic competition."

Beck joins a long list of CNAS staff and board members who have gone on to serve in senior leadership positions in government, including Kurt Campbell, Avril Haines, Victoria Nuland, Ely Ratner, Susanna Blume, Elizabeth Rosenberg, Kayla Williams, David Cohen, Peter Harrell, Derek Chollet, and Colin Kahl.

For media inquiries, contact CNAS Communications at [email protected].