Retired exec tapped for Homeland post

President Bush has tapped the former president of General Dynamics Corp.'s Advanced Technology Systems unit to be the new undersecretary for science and technology at the Homeland Security Department.

Charles McQueary will help the new department establish priorities for funding national research and developing and procuring technology systems to protect national security.

He also will work on preventing the importation of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons as well as transferring homeland security technologies to federal, state and local governments.

McQueary, who must be confirmed by the Senate, holds a Ph.D. in engineering mechanics from the University of Texas. He also has been the president of Lucent's Advanced Technology Systems.

"[McQueary] is exactly the kind of individual we hoped would fill this critical position. He has a strong technical background, broad management experience, familiarity with both academia and industry, and is highly regarded in the scientific community," said Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Science Committee, in a statement issued Jan. 10.