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NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
CENTRAl SECURITY SERVICE

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MARYLAND 20755-6000

NSA PRESS RELEASE
8 October 2002
For further information contact:
NSA Public and Media Affairs, 301-688-6524

NSA Hires New Senior Acquisition Executive

After an extensive nationwide search and review of qualified applicants, Lt Gen Michael V. Hayden, Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service (NSA/CSS), is pleased to welcome Paul A. Schneider to his senior leadership team as the Agency's Senior Acquisition Executive (SAE). Mr. Schneider will lead the Agency's continued efforts in acquisition reform and foster innovations and improvements in the accountability and transformation of its strategies and processes.

Mr. Schneider joins the Agency from the U.S. Navy, where he served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition). In this position, he oversaw and executed Navy and Marine Corps research, development, and acquisition programs with an annual budget in excess of $30 billion. Prior to this, he served as the Executive Director and Senior Civilian of the Naval Sea Systems Command, responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization that included shipyards, laboratories, and engineering and test facilities. He brings to NSA/CSS over 35 years of acquisition-related experience within the defense arena and has received myriad high-level, nationally recognized awards for his federal service.

"I am pleased that Paul has joined our leadership team. He will ensure that we continue to use the most effective and economical solutions to maintain our technological edge in protecting the Nation's security," Lt Gen Hayden said. "It is critical that the NSA/CSS acquisition process remain focused and agilely responsive to support the Nation's war against terrorism."

The SAE is an executive-level position created in 2000 specifically to integrate and unify the management of NSA/CSS's acquisition processes and to monitor implementation of applicable policies and practices. Mr. Schneider began working as the SAE on October 7, 2002.