People in the news

Bradley Buswell

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(Dept. of Homeland Security)

Why He Matters

With over 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy, Buswell has spent much of his life trying to keep Americans safe.

Buswell latest government job was as acting head of the Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Before that, he served as manager of the lobbying office of General Electric.

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At a Glance

  • Career History: Acting-Under Secretary of Science and Technology at the Homeland Security Department (2009 to 2010); Deputy Under Secretary of S&T at the DHS (2008 to 2010); DHS Science and Technology Chief of Staff (2006 to 2008); Manager of General Electric's goverment relations (2005 to 2006); Navy (1985 to 2001)
  • Hometown: Durango, Colo.
  • Alma Mater: U.S. Naval Academy, B.S. (systems engineering), 1985; George Washington University, MBA, 2001
 

Path to Power

Buswell's life in the Navy began at the U.S. Naval academy, where he graduated in 1985 with a degree in systems engineering.

After graduation, Buswell stayed within the Navy ranks for 20 years. He first worked as a submariner, before earning posts in the Navy's Washington, D.C. offices. In his two-decade run with the Navy, Buswell worked as a congressional liaison for research and developmental programs in the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs, an assistant to the chief of Naval Operations for Force Transformation and an executive assistant to the chief of Naval Research, among other positions.

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The Issues

Buswell has worked at DHS's S&T Directorate for three years. The S&T is like DHS's Apple store; it provides the agents in the field with new technologies. Before a new technology goes to agents, it must pass a rigorous testing process, which the S&T oversees.

The S&T also tests and implements other technologies that are aimed at making America safer. Tools to protect the borders or to assure no one brings an explosive onto a plane are tested in the S&T.

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The Network

While at DHS, Buswell reported to Deputy Secretary Jane Lute and Secretary Janet Napolitano. He reported to S&T Under Secretary Tara O'Toole.

 

Campaign Contributions

From 2006 to 2007, Buswell donated $650 to the Republican National Committee.

 

Additional Resources

  1. Information about Bradley Buswell, Biometrics.org
  2. Science and Technology Directorate Web site accessed on Oct. 30, 2009
  3. Center for Responsive Politics
  4. "Rep. David E. PRice Holds a Hearing on Developing and Transitioning Homeland Security Research Products Into Use," Political Transcripts by CQ Transcriptions, March 26, 2009