The White House is planning on nominating James Clapper as new director of national intelligence, replacing Dennis C. Blair, who announced his resignation late last month, CBS News reports.Clapper, who currently serves as principal staff assistant and adviser to the secretary and deputy secretary of defense on intelligence, counterintelligence and security matters, is a retired lieutenant general in the U.S. Force. He previously served as director at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and was the first civilian director of NGA. He retired from the Air Force in 1995, after a 32-year-long career.
Prior to his appointment as director of the NGA in 2001, Clapper worked in industry for six years as an executive in three successive companies. His business focus was on the Intelligence Community. His last military assignment was as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
According to CBS News, a Rose Garden announcement is expected tomorrow.
