William "Bill" Lietzau, who leads the Department of Defense's Personnel Vetting Transformation Office, has been appointed to serve as director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.
Lietzau will succeed Charles Phalen who has been filling the role on an acting basis since 2019, DoD said Monday.
Phalen led National Background Investigations Bureau's transition from the Office of Personnel Management to DCSA.
Lietzau's experience includes work with DoD where he supported implementation of detainee policy and addressed related issues such as law development, arms control, contractor accountability and anti-corruption.
“Bill’s leadership experience within the military, government and industry, combined with his role leading DCSA transformation efforts, make him the ideal candidate to hit the ground running and lead the DCSA,” said Joseph Kernan, undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security.
