For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
Washington, D.C. - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today applauded President Obama's intent to appoint Warren Stern as Director of DHS' Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO).
"The men and women of DNDO play a critical role in strengthening America's security," said Secretary Napolitano. "Warren's nuclear security and safety expertise will be a great asset to the Department's ongoing efforts to protect our nation from radiological and nuclear threats."
Stern previously served as the Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Incident and Emergency Centre and is currently a Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation.
As DNDO Director, Stern will oversee the office's ongoing efforts to enhance our nation's security by bolstering capabilities to detect and report unauthorized attempts to import, possess, store, develop, or transport nuclear or radiological material, as well as DNDO's efforts to support the U.S. Government's nuclear forensics capabilities.
Biography
Mr. Stern served as the Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Incident and Emergency Centre from August 2006 to March 2010—where he led international efforts to prepare for and respond to nuclear and radiation emergencies and helped create the IAEA's Response Assistance Network.
Mr. Stern began his career in 1985 at the Central Intelligence Agency, then served as the Senior Technical Advisor in the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency—where he advised senior U.S. officials on nonproliferation and nuclear security issues—from July 1990 until May 1999.
He later served as a Fellow in Senator Hillary Clinton's office in 2003—providing guidance on nuclear energy, waste, safety and security issues and helping to write the Dirty Bomb Prevention Act—and went on to serve as the Department of State's Senior Coordinator for Nuclear Safety and Deputy Director of the Office of Nuclear Energy, Safety and Security.
Mr. Stern received his M.S. in National Security Studies from the National War College, his S.M. in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his B.A. in Physics from Brandeis University.
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