Biographical Sketch
J. William Leonard
Director, Information Security Oversight Office
Professional
Bill Leonard, a native of New York City, was appointed as the Director of the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) in June 2002. As such, he is responsible to the President of the United States for policy oversight of the Government-wide security classification system and the National Industrial Security Program. ISOO receives its policy and program guidance from the National Security Council (NSC) and is an administrative component of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
Before his most recent appointment, Mr. Leonard served in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Security and Information Operations) as both the Deputy Assistant Secretary as well as the Principal Director. As such, he was responsible for programmatic and technical issues relating to the DoD's information assurance, critical infrastructure protection, counterintelligence, security and information operations programs. Mr. Leonard served as the DoD member to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel during this period.
Prior to coming to the staff of the Secretary of Defense in 1996 as Director of Security Programs, Mr. Leonard served as an Assistant Deputy Director at the Defense Investigative Service (DIS). In that capacity, he was responsible for a wide range of policy and operational matters pertaining to the DOD's administration of the National Industrial Security Program (NISP), both within the U.S. and overseas. Mr. Leonard was instrumental in the establishment of the DIS Counterintelligence Office.
From 1989-1992, Mr. Leonard served as the Director, Office of Industrial Security International in Brussels, Belgium. Previous assignments included additional tours at Headquarters, DIS, as well as serving as an Instructor at the Defense Industrial Security Institute in Richmond, VA. He was also a Command Security Officer at a DoD activity, as well as an Industrial Security Representative in the New York City area. He joined the Federal service in 1973.
Education and Awards
Mr. Leonard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from St. John's University in New York City and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from Boston University. Noteworthy awards which Mr. Leonard has received include the DIS Exceptional Service Award (1987 & 1996), the DIS Meritorious Service Award (1989 & 1993), the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service (2000), and the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service (2001 & 2002, with Bronze Palm ). In 2002, the President conferred upon Mr. Leonard the rank of Meritorious Executive.
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