Appointment of James A. Kelly as Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Senior Director of Asian Affairs at the National Security Council

The President today announced the appointment of James A. Kelly to be Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. He will also serve as Senior Director of Asian Affairs in the National Security Council staff. He will succeed Gaston J. Sigur, Jr.

Mr. Kelly has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (East Asia and Pacific Affairs) since June 1983. Prior to his appointment at the Defense Department, he resided and pursued business interests in Honolulu, HI, and served as an active duty officer in the U.S. Navy. His Navy service included politico-military affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, as well as with financial management and logistics duties. His assignments included Iran, Southeast Asia, Washington, Pearl Harbor, and at sea.

Mr. Kelly graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy (B.S., 1959), Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration (M.B.A., 1968), and the National War College (1977). He and his wife, the former Audrey Pool, have two children and reside in Arlington, VA. He was born September 15, 1936.