DOD Appoints Apple Executive Doug Beck as Defense Innovation Unit’s Next Director

Doug Beck, a vice president of Apple and a U.S. Navy Reserve captain, has been appointed to serve as director of the Department of Defense’s innovation arm beginning on May 1.

He will report directly to the defense secretary as part of a realignment of the Defense Innovation Unit’s management structure and oversee the adoption of commercial technologies for military applications, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

Beck will also advise Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a 2023 Wash100 awardee, on the strategic impact of dual-use technologies, according to a memo published Tuesday.

The nearly 26-year Navy veteran has been with Apple since 2009 and has led the company’s businesses in Northeast Asia and the Americas. He most recently oversaw the consumer electronics company’s worldwide education, health and public sector businesses.

“Doug’s experience in the commercial world and with the joint force structure will help DIU get to a new level of scaling commercial technology to the men and women in uniform,” said Mike Madsen, the agency’s acting director and a previous Wash100 Award winner.

Sponsor