DoD faucets Apple exec to guide industrial tech adoption unit
The US Protection Division is getting a shiny new director for its Protection Innovation Unit (DIU) within the form of Apple exec Doug Beck.
Per the Division of Protection, Beck’s new function will contain overseeing efforts to undertake industrial know-how for navy use, as is the DIUs mission. The DoD additionally stated Beck would function a senior advisor to the Protection Secretary and their Deputy on issues of tech innovation, competitors and strategic impression.
Whether or not the DoD may lastly dump the Microsoft HoloLens in favor of Apple’s rumored augmented actuality headset, subject tactical iPads and problem Apple Watches to each new soldier, sailor, airman and marine is unknown.
However Beck nonetheless will get to report back to the massive boss
Beck joined Apple in 2009 as the corporate’s veep and GM for Northeast Asia earlier than turning into the veep for North America and Northeast Asia, then veep for the entire of the Americas and Northeast Asia, and eventually touchdown in a job as veep of worldwide schooling, heath and authorities, in response to his LinkedIn profile.
For his whole tenure at Apple, Beck has reported on to CEO Tim Prepare dinner – certainly one of simply 20 executives on the firm who achieve this. Whereas his job titles do not make it explicitly clear, Beck served as one of many two gross sales chiefs for Apple, together with his obligations being to institutional and authorities patrons.
Together with saying Beck’s new job, the DoD additionally stated it was doing a little restructuring on the DIU. Whereas the director of the unit has historically reported to the Deputy Secretary of Protection, it will now “be below the authority, route, and management of the Secretary of Protection.”
Nice information for Beck and perhaps for Apple too: Beck nonetheless will get to report back to the precise boss at his new employer, and Apple will get a former government ready with a direct line to the Protection Secretary.
That is to not say Beck is not truly certified. He was previously an officer within the US Navy Reserve for 26 years, having reached the rank of Captain, and did excursions in Iraq and Afghanistan with a joint particular operations process drive. He was additionally a unit commander and has previous expertise working with the DIU too, founding and main its joint reserve part from 2015 to 2019.
Beck was beforehand appointed to the Secretary of State’s Overseas Affairs Coverage Board, was an government advisor to 3 Naval operations chiefs, and has lectured on technique and innovation on the Naval Postgraduate College.
The timing could not be higher
Apple has resisted the straightforward resolution of layoffs within the midst of the tech business’s post-pandemic backslide, choosing issues like bonus cuts and hiring freezes as a substitute, however there’s indicators that it may be a dropping combat.
In line with unnamed sources who spoke with Enterprise Insider, Apple is starting to chop roles in its company retail division. Apple is reportedly giving workers the chance to use for different jobs, à la Google and Meta, earlier than being laid off.
Whereas there is no indication Beck’s job or different high-up positions in Apple management have been affected by the cuts, it may very well be the primary signal that Apple isn’t proof against the slowdown witnessed by different tech companies. ®
