Bush Appoints Arden Bement as NSF Director

President Bush on Nov. 24 officially appointed Arden L. Bement, Jr., as the 12th director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across nearly all fields of science and engineering. Bement has been NSF’s acting director since Feb. 22, 2004. For the time he was acting NSF director, he also held the position of Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the U.S. Department of Commerce. He was appointed NIST director in 2001.

From National Science Foundation:

President Bush Appoints Arden Bement as NSF Director

President Bush on Nov. 24 officially appointed Arden L. Bement, Jr., as the 12th director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across nearly all fields of science and engineering.

Bement has been NSF’s acting director since Feb. 22, 2004. For the time he was acting NSF director, he also held the position of Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the U.S. Department of Commerce. He was appointed NIST director in 2001.

President Bush nominated Bement in September, 2004, to become the NSF director. The Senate confirmed Bement on Nov. 20. As NSF director, Bement’s term is for six years. His appointment coincides with his resignation as director of NIST.

Bement’s career spans nearly 40 years in industry, government and academia. He served on the National Science Board (NSB), the 24-member policy body for NSF and advisor to the president and Congress on science and engineering issues, from 1989-95. As NSF director, Bement will now serve as an ex officio member of the NSB.