William A. LaPlante

William A. LaPlante
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment
In office April 15, 2022 –January 20, 2025

LaPlante holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Catholic University of America, a master’s degree in applied physics from The Johns Hopkins University, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from the University of Illinois.

Career

LaPlante started his career at Applied Physics Laboratory working on various capping off 26 years as the Department Head for Global Engagement ^[3] In 2011, he joined MITRE as the Missile Defense Portfolio Director.

LaPlante served as the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology, and logistics in 2013. Later in 2014, he was confirmed by the Senate as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) ^[4]

Leaving his position in 2015, LaPlante rejoined MITRE as the senior vice president and general manager for National Security. ^{[5] [6]}

In September 2020, LaPlante was announced as the CEO of Draper Laboratory. ^[7]

On November 30, 2021, LaPlante was nominated to become the Defense Department’s top procurement official. ^[8] He was confirmed by the Senate on April 7, 2022. ^[9]

After leaving the Biden Administration, LaPlante rejoined the board of trustees at The Aerospace Corporation. ^[10]

References

1. "Acquisition and Sustainment Leadership Transition". Department of Defense. 15 April 2022.
2. "Draper appoints LaPlante as new CEO". Washington Technology. 17 September 2020.
3. "Dr. William A. LaPlante" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-09-19.
4. Church, Aaron (April 1, 2014). "Top Acquisition Post Filled". Air Force World.
5. "Air Force acquisition lead moves to MITRE > U.S. Air Force > Article Display". Archived from the original on 2017-05-08. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
6. National Defense Industrial Association (ed.). "Space Warfighting Industry Forum".
7. "Former Mitre Exec William LaPlante Named Draper President, CEO". GovConWire. 18 September 2020.
8. "Biden taps former Air Force procurement official LaPlante to run Pentagon acquisitions". Space News. 30 November 2021.
9. US Senate, 117th (7 April 2022). "PN1780 — William A. LaPlante Jr. — Department of Defense".
10. "The Honorables Frank Calvelli and William LaPlante Selected for Aerospace's Board of Trustees". The Aerospace Corporation. March 20, 2025.