Defense comptroller leaves for industry job

The Defense Department's top financial official stepped down last week for a job in private industry, after more than four years in the position.

Defense comptroller Tina Jonas' last day was Sept. 26, said Cmdr. Darryn James, a Pentagon spokesman. She started her new job as director of operations, planning and analysis for Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. on Monday, a company spokeswoman confirmed.

Jonas "will provide the leadership and direction necessary to plan and control Sikorsky production and supply chain resource requirements, including production planning for all military, commercial and aftermarket business," said Mick Maurer, Sikorsky's director of operations, in an internal message. "Her responsibilities include facilities management for Connecticut production operations and macro facility planning oversight."

Defense sources said it is common for senior appointees to leave in the fall before a change in presidential administrations. James said it was not standard practice within Defense to announce these resignations.

Career civil servant Kevin Scheid "will keep things running" until a new comptroller is nominated and confirmed, James said. Scheid also will retain his duties as deputy comptroller for strategy, capabilities and acquisition.