Mr. Michael L. Rhodes was appointed by the Secretary of Defense to serve as the Acting Director of Administration and Management (A&M) on June 21, 2008. Prior to becoming the Acting Director of A&M, since November 2006 Mr. Rhodes held dual responsibilities as both the Deputy Director of A&M and Director of Washington Headquarters Services (WHS).

As the Acting Director of A&M, Mr. Rhodes is the principal staff assistant to the Secretary of Defense responsible for: advising on organizational and management matters for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and Department of Defense (DoD) leaders; overseeing the DoD Freedom of Information program, Privacy programs, Historical program, and Information Technology / Chief Information Officer programs for the OSD; WHS, a 1,300-employee, $1.3 billion Field Activity that oversees management of the Pentagon, DoD leased space and DoD administrative services within the National Capital Region; the $5.5 billion Pentagon Renovation and Construction Program; and the Pentagon Force Protection Agency – professionals providing Antiterrorism, Security and Law Enforcement for the Pentagon and numerous DoD-occupied facilities in the National Capitol Region (NCR).

Prior to serving as the Deputy Director of A&M and Director of Washington Headquarters Services, from 2002 to 2006 Mr. Rhodes served as Assistant Deputy Commandant for Manpower & Reserve Affairs (M&RA), Headquarters, United States Marine Corps. In that capacity, he assisted the Deputy Commandant in the operations and management of the M&RA Department, its programs, plans, policies and studies, ensuring integration of its many diverse functions towards accomplishment of the Marine Corps mission. The M&RA Department is imbedded with a broad range of responsibilities important to all active and reserve component Marines, family members, and Civilian Marines.

Prior to serving as the Assistant Deputy Commandant with the Marine Crops, Mr. Rhodes served four years in Miami, Florida as Advisor to the Commander of the United States Southern Command (USSSOUTHCOM), responsible for Sustaining Base and Quality of Life Affairs. Mr. Rhodes supported the Commander by providing advice, coordination, administration, and representation concerning issues affecting the sustainment and quality of installation programs, policies, and services impacting USSOUTHCOM personnel throughout the command's area of responsibility.

Other assignments include: Business Analyst in the Public-Private Venture program at the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center, Alexandria, Virginia; Business Consultant for the U.S. Army Pacific Community and Family Activities Division, Fort Shafter, Hawaii; General Manager of Club Operations at West Point, New York for the U.S. Military Academy; Community and Family Activities Program Specialist, HQ Staff, U.S. Army Alaska, Fort Richardson, Alaska (serving the three Army installations in Alaska); Chief of Community Operations at Fort Richardson, Alaska; and Financial Analyst for the Director of Personnel and Community Activities, HQ Staff, U.S. Army Alaska.

Concurrent with the assignments above, Mr. Rhodes served as an Adjunct Faculty member for business programs at the following universities: Park University, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Wayland Baptist University-Hawaii, St. Thomas Aquinas College, University of Alaska-Anchorage, and Wayland Baptist University-Alaska.

Mr. Rhodes received his Master of Business Administration degree from Chapman College and his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Western Kentucky University. Mr. Rhodes is also a graduate of the Army Management Staff College. His civilian and military awards and decorations include the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive, the Department of the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award, two Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Awards, two Department of the Army Commanders Awards for Civilian Service, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Air Assault Badge. Mr. Rhodes served four years active duty with the U.S. Army and has been a member of the Senior Executive Service since October 2000.