Mary Beth Long was sworn in as the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs Dec. 21, 2007, during a ceremony at the Pentagon.  Long was nominated by President Bush to be the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs on Nov. 8, 2007. She is the first woman to be sworn into an assistant secretary position in the policy organization.

 

            Long said she was honored to be appointed by President Bush. "I feel privileged to have been selected by the President for this appointment, and I am grateful for the secretary's confidence in my ability to serve in this position," she said. "I look forward to serving the men and women of our great military and the Defense Department."

 

            Prior to her confirmation, Long served as the acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs and the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs. She also served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for counter narcotics. Long has also worked for the Central Intelligence Agency and practiced law with Williams & Connolly LLP. A graduate of Washington and Lee University School of Law she received her bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University.