President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate several key administration posts Oct. 30, to include a pivotal Air Force position.

According to the announcement, Dr. William LaPlante Jr. was named to be nominated by the president as assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition.

LaPlante is currently the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, a position he has held since May. 

Prior to this job, LaPlante held positions at MITRE Corporation and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and has more than 28 years of experience in defense technology.

He began his career at Johns Hopkins University in 1985 and served in various capacities until 2011, including Global Engagement department head, Business Area Executive for Undersea Warfare and National Security Technology Associate department head, and the Strategic Submarine Security Program area manager. 

LaPlante was appointed to the Defense Science Board in 2010.  He has also been a member of the U.S. Strategic Command Strategic Advisory Group and an adjunct lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Catholic University of America.

He received a B.S. from the University of Illinois, an M.S. from Johns Hopkins University, and a Ph.D. from Catholic University of America.