WASHINGTON, May 30 (UPI) -- The Senate has confirmed a three-star general to the new position of director of the intelligence staff, a key post in the office of the new U.S. spy czar.
Gen. Ronald Burgess was confirmed last week as lawmakers wrapped up for the Memorial Day recess, according to a statement from the office of the spy chief, Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell.
Although the new post was created by administrative fiat by McConnell as part of an overhaul of his office, the appointment was subject to Senate confirmation because Burgess is a three-star general and all assignments for such senior military officers have to be approved by senators.
The new post is designed to push through personnel reform in the U.S. intelligence agencies, McConnell said earlier this year.
Burgess, who until now held the title of deputy director for customer outcomes (requirements) in McConnell's office, will take over from David Shedd, who was chief of staff to former Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte and McConnell, before the latter transformed the post as part of his first 100-days plan.
Shedd will become the deputy DNI for policy, plans and requirements, a new strategic management role McConnell also created in his 100-day shakeup.
Burgess was first appointed to the customer outcomes or intelligence requirements post in August 2005. He had been director of intelligence for the Pentagon's joint staff, and his job was seen as managing the tricky relationship between the U.S. military and the new intelligence leadership structure created by Congress and headed by the DNI.
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Shaun Waterman, UPI Homeland and National Security Editor
