Mr. David A. Kier has been appointed Deputy Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) by Acting Director of Central Intelligence Mr. George J. Tenet, with the concurrence of Deputy Secretary of Defense John P. White. The appointment was effective, Friday, 30 May 1997. Mr. Kier will also serve as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Space). He has been the NRO Technical Director since April 1996.

Mr. Kier began his civil service career with NASA in 1965 as a flight test engineer. He participated in the Executive Leadership Development in 1973, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, NASA Headquarters, and the Department of Commerce. He worked at NASA Headquarters through 1981, when he joined the National Reconnaissance Office. He managed several major satellite programs through 1994, when he accepted a rotational assignment to the U.S. Navy.

The NRO was formed in September 1961. Mr. Keith R. Hall is the 12th and current NRO Director and Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Space). Mr. Kier becomes the ninth Deputy Director of the NRO since the position was created in 1963.