Fran Townsend Named Senior National Security Analyst for CBS NEWS

Fran Townsend, a homeland security expert with more two decades of experience in intelligence, counterterrorism and criminal justice, has been named Senior National Security Analyst for CBS News, effective immediately.

Townsend will contribute analysis on homeland security, foreign policy, counter terrorism, intelligence issues and much more, across all CBS News broadcasts and platforms, including CBSN, the 24/7 digital streaming news service.

She brings to CBS News a wealth of experience in critical homeland security positions, as well as experience in the legal world and on television. She spent 13 years in the Department of Justice during the administrations of President George H.W. Bush, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush. Townsend was Assistant to President George W. Bush for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism and from May 2004 until January 2008, she chaired the Homeland Security Council.

Townsend is currently Executive Vice President for Worldwide Government, Legal and Business Affairs at MacAndrews & Forbes, Inc. Prior to her current position, Townsend was a corporate partner in the law firm, Baker Botts, LLP.

Earlier, Townsend was an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, NY and served in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of NY.

Townsend graduated cum laude from American University, where she earned bachelor's degrees in political Science and in psychology. She earned her law degree from the University of San Diego, School of Law.

Image courtesy of CBS