Michael Bloomberg, founder and CEO of media conglomerate Bloomberg and former mayor of New York City, has been nominated by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to serve as chair of the Defense Innovation Board.
He will lead a group of leaders and experts to provide recommendations and advice on technology and innovation to help the Department of Defense address national security priorities, DOD said Wednesday.
“Innovation and adaptability are absolutely critical at any large organization, and there is no organization bigger or more complex than the Department of Defense,” Bloomberg said in response to his nomination. “With rapid advances in technology happening alongside rapidly evolving threats to our national security and the safety of our service members, our largest government agency must also be our most forward-thinking.”
Bloomberg added that he is honored to work with Austin, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, other senior DOD leaders and government and industry innovators to “help bring new ideas and outside perspective that can help protect Americans and our values, interests, and allies around the world.”
Austin and Hicks are both 2022 Wash100 Award winners.
Bloomberg is an entrepreneur and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. He also serves as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions and the World Health Organization Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries.
