Pedro Allende has been confirmed as the new Under Secretary for Science and Technology, assuming leadership of the office responsible for advancing research, development, and innovation in support of national security priorities.
“I am honored to have been confirmed as the Under Secretary for Science and Technology at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Those who understand the scope and gravity of the DHS mission recognize that the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is the primary engine driving the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) necessary for the resilience and security of our nation.” Pedro M. Allende, Under Secretary for Science and Technology, said in a statement.
Allende previously served as Secretary of the Florida Department of Management Services, overseeing a $1 billion budget and leading nearly 1,000 employees supporting statewide business operations, workforce management, and technology services.
Allende is no stranger to DHS. He previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience Policy within the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans. In that capacity, he led key initiatives to bolster the resilience of U.S. critical infrastructure against a spectrum of cyber, physical, and natural threats. His policy work helped strengthen national capabilities across preparedness, response, and recovery functions.
His federal service also includes senior roles at the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of Labor. As a Senior Adviser and Director of Strategic Initiatives in the Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, Allende contributed to national energy infrastructure protection efforts. At the Department of Labor, he served as Counselor to the Secretary and White House Liaison.
In addition to his federal credentials, Allende has served on Florida’s Cybersecurity Advisory Council, lending his expertise to state-level cyber resilience planning and policy development.
(AI was used in part to facilitate this article.)