WASHINGTON, D.C. - Dr. Paul Stockton, a professor at Monterey's Naval Postgraduate School, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate this week as the new Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs. Dr. Stockton, who was on leave from NPS at Stanford University, is a former associate provost at NPS and founding director of its Center for Homeland Defense and Security,

"I'm so excited that Paul's expertise in Latin American issues and his national leadership in homeland security has been recognized by the Obama administration," said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel), who introduced Dr. Stockton at his Senate confirmation hearing on May 12. "Paul knows more about homeland security than just about anyone else in the country and will be a great asset to the Department of Defense. I look forward to working with him on a number of national security issues."

In 2000, Dr. Stockton founded and served as acting dean of the School of International Graduate Studies at NPS. Prior to that, he served as director of the school's Center for Civil-Military Relations. He also served as a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan in the 1980s.