Biden Eyes Alex Wagner as Air Force Personnel Boss

President Joe Biden has expressed his intent to nominate Aerospace Industries Association executive Alex Wagner as assistant Air Force secretary for manpower and reserve affairs.

Upon receiving Senate confirmation, Wagner would manage personnel issues, including that of reservists, and ensure readiness support across the service branch.

He would succeed John Fedrigo, who has been the Air Force’s interim personnel boss since January, Air Force Times reported Thursday.

Wagner’s LinkedIn profile shows that he spent the last three years as AIA’s vice president of strategic initiatives, leading talent development efforts in the aerospace and defense industry. His key initiatives include enhancing workforce diversity, increasing access to STEM education and protecting employees’ health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, Wagner served as chief of staff to the secretary of the Army. During that time, he advised the Army secretary on policy, communications and legislative matters while also being centrally responsible for the service’s strategic tech initiatives such as the “Hack the Army” bug bounty challenge.

He also did advisory work for the Office of the Secretary of Defense in the areas of detainee policy and global strategic affairs. One of his contributions was serving as the policy adviser on the Pentagon’s implementation of the Obama administration’s “Prague Agenda.”

Key positions in the Air Force were formally filled in over the past week.

Frank Kendall received confirmation as Air Force secretary on July 26. The stalled confirmation process pushed through after Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Gary Peters lifted procedural holds blocking Kendall’s path forward.

The Senate also confirmed Gina Ortiz Jones as Air Force undersecretary.