National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair is one step closer to getting the final member of his senior team in place after a Senate confirmation hearing for David C. Gombert (GOM'-bert).

A former State Department official with no direct intelligence experience, Gombert was nominated in August to be Blair's principal deputy.

Traditionally, the No. 2 position in national intelligence has focused on day-to-day management issues. But Gombert told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday that he will instead conduct most of the numerous intelligence briefings given to senior policy makers.

Gombert says that will give Blair, President Barack Obama's chief intelligence adviser, more time to oversee the 16 agencies that report to him.

(This version CORRECTS Gombert's middle initial to 'C'.)