# Vanderbilt's Clark Lea promotes Steve Gregory and Nick Lezynski to oversee the defense

## Key Points
* The new appointments are effective from March 22, 2024.
* Gregory and Lezynski will be responsible for overseeing the defense department's operations.
* Clark Lea was previously the director of national security affairs.

The Vanderbilt University Department of Defense announced the promotions of Steve Gregory and Nick Lezynski to oversee the department's operations effective March 22, 2024. Gregory is expected to oversee the mission support and policy functions, while Lezynski will focus on the intelligence and interagency functions.

Clark Lea, the current director of national security affairs, will be held accountable for the performance of the department's mission and policies. He has been with the department for 32 years and has been promoted to the director position at the national level.

Gregory, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, has 20 years of experience in the military and 10 years in the department. Lezynski, a retired Navy officer, has served in the department for nearly 18 years and has 12 years of experience in the military. Both Gregory and Lezynski were previously vice presidents in the defense department.

The promotions represent a significant leadership shift within the department, with Gregory as the top official for policy and Lezynski as the top official for intelligence and interagency functions.
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