Nomination of William H. Taft IV To Be United States Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Council

The President today announced his intention to nominate William H. Taft IV to be the U.S. Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. He would succeed Alton Keel.

Since 1984 Mr. Taft has been Deputy Secretary of Defense in Washington, DC. Prior to this he was General Counsel at the Department of Defense, 1981 - 1984. Mr. Taft was a partner with the law firm of Leva, Hawes, Symington, Martin and Oppenheimer in Washington, DC, 1977 - 1981; General Counsel at the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1973 - 1976; Executive Assistant to the Director in the Office of Management and Budget, 1972 - 1973; and Special Assistant to the Deputy Director in the Office of Management and Budget, 1970 - 1972. He was attorney adviser to the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, 1970, and an associate with Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam and Roberts of New York City, 1969 - 1970.

Mr. Taft graduated from Yale College (B.A., 1966) and Harvard Law School (J.D., 1969). He was born September 13, 1945, in Washington, DC. He is married, has three children, and resides in Lorton, VA.