Rand Beers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rand Beers
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| United States Secretary of Homeland Security | |
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Acting
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| In office September 6, 2013 – December 23, 2013 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Deputy | Rafael Borras (acting) |
| Preceded by | Janet Napolitano |
| Succeeded by | Jeh Johnson |
| United States Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security | |
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Acting
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| In office April 9, 2013 – September 6, 2013 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Jane Holl Lute |
| Succeeded by | Rafael Borras (acting) |
| Under Secretary of Homeland Security for National Protection and Programs | |
| In office June 19, 2009 – March 6, 2014 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Robert Jamison |
| Succeeded by | Suzanne Spaulding |
| 7th Assistant Secretary of State for International ... and Law Enforcement Affairs | |
| In office October 25, 1998 – August 31, 2002 |
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| President | Bill Clinton George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Robert S. Gelbard |
| Succeeded by | Robert B. Charles |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 30, 1942 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Dartmouth College (BA) University of Michigan (MA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1964–1968 |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Robert Rand Brittingham Beers (born November 30, 1942) is an American government official. He has worked for the United States government for many years. He was an important advisor to the President on homeland security during Barack Obama's time in office. He also served as the acting head of the Department of Homeland Security for a few months in 2013.
Contents
Rand Beers' Early Career
Rand Beers started his career as a Marine officer. He was a rifle company commander during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. After his military service, he joined the United States Foreign Service in 1971. This is a group of people who work for the U.S. government in other countries.
Later, he moved to the Civil Service in 1983. He spent most of his career working for the United States Department of State. This department handles how the U.S. interacts with other countries.
Working with International Affairs
From 1992 to 1993, he was a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. His job was to focus on political and military issues in the Middle East and Persian Gulf regions.
In 2003, he left government service. He then worked as a national security advisor for the Kerry-Edwards political campaign.
Working for Homeland Security
Rand Beers played a big role in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This department works to protect the United States from threats.
Protecting Important Systems
As an Under Secretary, Beers led efforts to make important systems safer. These systems include physical places, computer networks (cyber), and communication tools. His team worked with different levels of government and private companies. They aimed to prevent and respond to dangers like terrorism and natural disasters.
He is also a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. This group advises the President on protecting important national systems.
His Role at DHS
Beers started as a Counselor to Secretary Janet Napolitano in 2009. He also directed the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) within DHS. Before this, he helped the incoming Obama administration prepare for their work at the Department of Homeland Security.
Before the 2008 election, Beers was the president of the National Security Network. This was a group he started in 2006. It was a "think tank," which is a group that does research and gives advice on important topics. He also taught at Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University.
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security
Between April and September 2013, he served as the acting United States Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. This means he filled the role temporarily.
After Secretary Napolitano resigned on September 6, 2013, Beers became the acting United States Secretary of Homeland Security. He held this top position until Jeh Johnson was officially confirmed by the United States Senate on December 23, 2013.
About Rand Beers' Life
Rand Beers earned his bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College. He then got his master's degree from the University of Michigan.
The New York Times newspaper once wrote about him. They said he was "always a Democrat." This means he usually supported the Democratic Party. However, he worked for several Republican presidents. He also voted for one Republican, Spiro T. Agnew, for governor of Maryland in 1966.
See also
In Spanish: Rand Beers para niños
