ARLINGTON, Va., July 20, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Retired Maj. General Arnold Punaro, Board Chairman of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), was appointed last week by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to serve on the Defense Business Board (DBB). Punaro will serve under Michael Bayer, a Senior Fellow of NDIA, who was recently appointed to serve as the Chairman of the DBB. Bayer and Punaro have both previously served on the DBB with distinction.
In recognizing Punaro's appointment, NDIA President and CEO, General Craig McKinley, USAF (Ret.), said, "Arnold's reappointment is well-deserved and reflects his wealth of experience and devotion to our national security. He has served as Chairman of NDIA since 2013, following his tenure as Vice Chairman. He is a combat-tested Marine whose 35 years of service capped off with a two-star tour as the Director of the Marine Corps Reserve. His extensive business experience includes time as Executive Vice President of the Science Applications International Corporation, SAIC. His career in Washington began with his service to a legend, Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia, during Chairman Nunn's nearly two decade leadership of the Senate Armed Services Committee, during which time Arnold served as his staff director."
McKinley added, "Arnold will not be the only association leader serving on the DBB. In fact, he joins NDIA Senior Fellow, Michael Bayer, who just recently returned to chair the Board."
McKinley concluded, "We are grateful for two such distinguished defense leaders lending their insight and experience to NDIA."
About NDIA: The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) is America's oldest and largest defense industry association, numbering approximately 1,600 member companies and nearly 90,000 individual members. NDIA provides a legal and ethical forum for the exchange of information between industry and government on national security issues. NDIA members foster the development of the most innovative and superior equipment, training and support for warfighters and first responders through its divisions, local chapters, affiliated associations and events.