Bush nominates two for Air Force, Navy secretary posts

President Bush has nominated a Defense deputy undersecretary and a corporate vice president to serve as secretaries of the Air Force and Navy, respectively.

If confirmed by the Senate, Michael W. Wynne, currently principal deputy undersecretary of Defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, would become Air Force secretary. He would replace Preston M. "Pete" Geren, who has served as acting secretary of the Air Force since July 29.

Donald C. Winter was nominated to be Navy secretary, filling the position formerly held by Gordon England. England was named deputy secretary of Defense earlier this year.

Wynne formerly worked as undersecretary of Defense for acquisition, technology and logistics. Before that, he served as chairman and CEO of Ixata and as chairman of Extended Reach Logistics.

Wynne earned his bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served as a captain in the Air Force. He received master's degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology and the University of Colorado.

Winter is currently corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. He previously served as president and CEO of TRW Systems. He was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for meritorious civilian service while working for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Winter earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester and a master's degree and doctorate from the University of Michigan.

Dawn S. Onley is a senior writer for Washington Technology's sister publication, Government Computer News.