The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has reported out the nomination of Elaine Duke as undersecretary for management at DHS.
DHS secretary Michael Chertoff called her a "consummate businesswoman" with "undaunted dedication" and praised her efforts as deputy undersecretary for management and as the department’s chief procurement officer.
Chertoff also said she would figure prominently in the department’s efforts to maintain continuity during the transition to the next presidential administration.
In 2002, Duke served as the Transportation Department’s deputy assistant administrator where she worked on federalizing screeners following the 9-11 attacks.
Duke started in the civil service as an Air Force contracting officer and has also held acquisition positions in the Navy.