"Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate William LaPlante for Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment at the Department of Defense," the release stated.
LaPlante is currently president and CEO of Draper Laboratory where he has focused on emerging technology and global competitive innovation. Previously, he served as MITRE Corporation senior vice president where he oversaw federally funded research and development, the White House said.
"Dr. William A. LaPlante is a seasoned national security leader with nearly four decades of experience in acquisition, technology, sustainment and the defense industrial base … delivering material as well as conceptual innovations to enhance national security capabilities," the release said.
LaPlante also served in the Obama administration as the Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics from 2014 to 2017, according to the White House.