CNA announces new President of the Institute for Public Research

(Alexandria, VA) — CNA (CNA), a nonprofit company dedicated to serving the public interest, recently announced that retired Vice Admiral Lee Gunn has been named the President of CNA's Institute for Public Research. In that capacity, Admiral Gunn will be responsible for leading the corporation's non-defense related research and consulting practice. The Institute provides high-quality research and analysis in the areas of domestic safety and security, human capital management, education, public health and health care, and air traffic safety and management. Admiral Gunn will also serve as the Director of the new Public Research Division.

"We are delighted that Lee has taken this position," said Robert J. Murray, President and CEO of The CNA Corporation. "Lee's leadership and energy will build on the Institute's success in providing our clients with effective, efficient, and cutting-edge solutions to their complex problems."

After a thirty-five year career in the United States Navy, Admiral Gunn joined CNA in 2001 as Director of the Center for Human Performance and Intellectual Capital.

Admiral Gunn held a number of impressive positions at sea and ashore during his distinguished Naval career. For the last three years of that career, he served as the Inspector General of the Department of the Navy. Admiral Gunn also has extensive experience in the areas of manpower, personnel, and training. He served in eight assignments in those areas during his career. During his last manpower assignment (as Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel, and Commander, Navy Personnel Command) he played a key role in redesigning the Navy's manpower and personnel establishment.

Serving in the Surface Navy in a variety of theaters, Admiral Gunn rose through the cruiser/destroyer force to command of the Navy's anti-submarine warfare tactical, test, and evaluation Destroyer squadron. He later commanded Amphibious Group Three, consisting of 19 ships, 12 other, separate commands, and 16,000 Sailors and Marines. As Commander of PHIBGRU THREE he served (in addition to many other duties) as the Combined Naval Forces Commander, and Deputy Task Force Commander of Combined Task Force United Shield. TF United Shield conducted the final withdrawal of United Nations peacekeeping forces from Somalia in February and March of 1995.

Immediately after concluding his active duty career, Admiral Gunn was asked by the Chief of Naval Operations to lead his "Executive Review of Navy Training." The nine-month Review was conducted by a senior team of experts in a variety of disciplines from the uniformed Navy, the corps of Department of the Navy Civilians, and the business and education communities.

Admiral Gunn's awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, six Legions of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat Distinguishing Device), the Navy Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and numerous theater and service awards.

Admiral Gunn holds a Bachelor's degree in Experimental and Physiological Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Master of Science degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.