by Capt. Chris Sukach
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
11/8/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials named Dr. Kevin T. Geiss the new deputy assistant secretary of energy for the Air Force Nov. 4.
Dr. Geiss will lead the Air Force's Energy Office, comprising a staff of 11 people dedicated to energy policy development and support of energy-focused programs.
"Energy is an enabler for all we do in support of global Air Force missions," Dr. Geiss said. "I am excited to be coming back at a time when there is such tremendous leadership support for this area. I am committed to help lead our service to a more energy secure future."
Prior to leading the Energy Office, Dr. Geiss spent two years as the program director for energy security in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment. He also has worked as the assistant director for national defense in the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the executive office of the president and as a senior research scientist in the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
The Air Force was the first military service to recognize energy as a major policy focus area and the first to formally assign responsibilities at the deputy assistant secretary level when leaders added energy policy to the duties, authorities and responsibilities to the then-deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for environment, safety and occupational health in 2007.
Earlier this year, Air Force leaders recognized that the continued emphasis and importance of energy policy in support of the mission warranted a dedicated and separate deputy assistant secretary and took steps to establish the position.
While the deputy assistant secretary for energy position is a new one, the office originated as the Energy Program Management Office and has been operational since 2009, but previously reported to the deputy assistant secretary for energy, environment, safety and occupational health. The establishment of this new position and the realignment of capabilities emphasize the Air Force's dedication to energy efficiency.
Dr. Geiss and his team support the designated senior energy official, Air Force Undersecretary Erin Conaton, and are responsible for all Air Force matters pertaining to energy. The Energy Office staff is responsible for energy program management, installations and infrastructure energy, operational energy, integration of energy considerations into all Air Force business processes, energy security, energy culture change and interfacing with outside organizations regarding Air Force-wide energy.
