About Janet Napolitano

Age: 55

Born: Nov. 29, 1957, in New York City

Experience: Arizona governor, 2003-09; Arizona attorney general, 1999-2003; attorney, Lewis and Roca, 1997-98; U.S. attorney for Arizona, 1993-97; partner, Lewis and Roca, 1989-93; associate, Lewis and Roca, 1984-89; clerk to Judge Mary Schroeder, 9th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals, 1983-84

Education: Bachelor of science, Santa Clara University, 1979; law degree, University of Virginia, 1983

Family: Unmarried

Highlights of her tenure

April 2009: Begins daily briefings on the federal response to the swine flu outbreak.

August 2009: Says securing the southwestern border requires targeting several issues at the same time: illegal immigration, drug trafficking and violence in Mexico.

Oct. 13, 2009: Visits the Cyber Crimes Center, which is operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and says, “The Internet has become the new medium by which crimes are committed — child pornography, sex tourism, exploitation.” The Cyber Center assists in investigations of complex international crimes, especially those that victimize children.

July 2010: Says the federal government has achieved “historic advances” in fulfilling Sept. 11 commission recommendations to boost U.S. defenses against terrorist attacks.

February 2013: Testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee, arguing that border security has “never been stronger.”

July 2013: Directs immigration officials to begin review of visas for same-sex couples.

Source: Times files

Compiled by Robin Mayper