Deputy Under Secretary
Dr. Ronald J. Clark serves as Deputy Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD). As Deputy Under Secretary, he oversees the Office of Infrastructure Protection, the Office of Biometrics and Identity Management, the Federal Protective Service and the Office of Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis, and works with the Deputy Under Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications to ensure a holistic approach to critical infrastructure protection across physical and cyber risks activities.
Before coming to DHS, Dr. Clark served for five years at the White House on the National Security Council Staff, focused on issues ranging from global counterterrorism strategy and operations to the strategic allocation of security and intelligence resources. Dr. Clark is also a retired Marine Corps infantry and force reconnaissance officer who led units in combat overseas and served as a Senior Advisor to the Multi-National Forces Iraq Commander and to the Commander of U.S. Central Command.
Dr. Clark was an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia. He also served as a White House Fellow concentrating on national contingency plans, participated in the NYC 9/11 Search and Rescue Operation, and supported the launch of a Hurricane Katrina Emergency Operations Center in New Orleans. Dr. Clark is the recipient of numerous awards including the Bronze Star Medal and the National Security Council Outstanding Service Award. Dr. Clark received a B.A. from the University of Rochester, and a M.Ed. and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.