 From 1979 to 1985, Kerr served as the fourth director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).Prior to becoming director, he conducted and led LANL research in high altitude weapons effects, nuclear test detection and analysis, weapons diagnostics, ionospheric physics, and alternative energy programs.Kerr was nominated to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence by President George W. Bush on Wednesday, July 11, 2007.