West Wing Week: 08/02/13 or "Let Us Be Awed By Their Shining Deeds"

August 01, 2013 | 06:21 | Public Domain

This week, the Vice President and Dr. Biden wrapped up a trip to India and Singapore, the President announced a bargain for middle class jobs, welcomed the Huskies and the Giants, the American Legion, Girls & Boys Nation, the President of Yemen, and civil rights leaders to the White House, and marked the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice.

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West Wing Week: 08/02/13 or "Let Us Be Awed By Their Shining Deeds"

This week, the Vice President and Dr. Biden wrapped up a trip to India and Singapore, the President announced a bargain for middle class jobs, welcomed the Huskies and the Giants, the American Legion, Girls & Boys Nation, the President of Yemen, and civil rights leaders to the White House, and marked the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:
 
Stevan Eaton Bunnell, of the District of Columbia, to be General Counsel, Department of Homeland Security, vice Ivan K. Fong, resigned.
 
Dwight L. Bush, Sr., of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Morocco.
 
Steven Croley, of Michigan, to be General Counsel of the Department of Energy, vice Gregory Howard Woods.
 
Karen Dynan, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, vice Janice Eberly.
 
J. Christopher Giancarlo, of New Jersey, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for the remainder of the term expiring April 13, 2014, vice Jill Sommers, resigned.
 
Richard F. Griffin, Jr., of the District of Columbia, to be General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board for a term of four years, vice Ronald E. Meisburg, resigned.
 
Pamela K. Hamamoto, of Hawaii, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, with the rank of Ambassador, vice Betty E. King.
 
Matthew T. Harrington, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Lesotho.
 
Christopher A. Hart, of Colorado, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2017.(Reappointment)
 
Deborah A. P. Hersman, of Virginia, to be Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term of two years.(Reappointment)
 
Deborah A. P. Hersman, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2018.(Reappointment)
 
Deborah Lee James, of Virginia, to be Secretary of the Air Force, vice Michael Bruce Donley, resigned.
 
Peter Joseph Kadzik, of New York, to be an Assistant Attorney General, vice Ronald H. Weich, resigned.
 
R. Gil Kerlikowske, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Customs, Department of Homeland Security, vice Alan D. Bersin, resigned.
 
Frank G. Klotz, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, vice Thomas P. D'Agostino, resigned.
 
John Andrew Koskinen, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue for the term expiring November 12, 2017, vice Douglas H. Shulman, term expired.
 
Michael P. O'Rielly, of New York, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2014, vice Robert M. McDowell, resigned.
 
Anne W. Patterson, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Ambassador, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Near Eastern Affairs), vice C. David Welch, resigned.
 
Patrick Pizzella, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term of five years expiring July 1, 2015, vice Thomas M. Beck, resigned.
 
Linda A. Schwartz, of Connecticut, to be Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs, vice Raul Perea-Henze, resigned.
 
Sarah Sewall, of Massachusetts, to be an Under Secretary of State (Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights), vice Maria Otero, resigned.
 
Suzanne Eleanor Spaulding, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, vice Rand Beers.
 
Kathryn D. Sullivan, of Ohio, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, vice Jane Lubchenco, resigned.
 
 
 
WITHDRAWAL SENT TO THE SENATE:
 
Lafe E. Solomon, of Maryland, to be General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board for a term of four years, vice Ronald E. Meisburg, resigned, which was sent to the Senate on May 23, 2013.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Amos Rojas, Jr., of Florida, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida for the term of four years, vice Christina Pharo, term expired.

Edward G. Smith, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, vice Berle M. Schiller, retired.

Peter C. Tobin, of Ohio, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio for a term of four years, vice Cathy Jo Jones, resigned.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

  • J. Christopher Giancarlo – Commissioner, Commodity Futures Trading Commission
  • Michael P. O’Rielly - Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
  • Patrick Pizzella – Member, Federal Labor Relations Authority

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

J. Christopher Giancarlo, Nominee for Commissioner, Commodity Futures Trading Commission
J. Christopher Giancarlo is the Executive Vice President at GFI Group, a position he has held since 2001.  Previously, he was the Executive Vice President of Fenics Ltd from 2000 to 2001.  Prior to this role, he was a Partner with Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner from 1997 to 2000.  From 1992 to 1997, Mr. Giancarlo was a founding Partner with Giancarlo & Gleiberman.  Between the years of 1985 and 1991, he was an Associate Attorney with Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle.  He began his career as an Associate Attorney with Mudge, Rose, Guthrie, Alexander & Ferdon from 1984 to 1985.  Mr. Giancarlo received a B.A. from Skidmore College and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law.

Michael P. O’Rielly, Nominee for Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
Michael P. O’Rielly is a Policy Advisor in the Office of the Senate Republican Whip, led by U.S. Senator John Cornyn, a position he has held since January 2013.  He has worked in the Republican Whip’s Office since 2010, as an Advisor from 2010 to 2012 and Deputy Chief of Staff and Policy Director from 2012 to 2013 for U.S. Senator Jon Kyl.  Mr. O’Rielly previously worked for the Republican Policy Committee in the U.S. Senate as a Policy Analyst for Banking, Technology, Transportation, Trade, and Commerce issues from 2009 to 2010.  Prior to this, he worked in the Office of U.S. Senator John Sununu, as Legislative Director from 2007 to 2009, and Senior Legislative Assistant from 2003 to 2007.  Before his tenure as a Senate staffer, Mr. O’Rielly served as a Professional Staff Member on the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the United States House of Representatives from 1998 to 2003, and Telecommunications Policy Analyst from 1995 to 1998. He began his career as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congressman Tom Bliley from 1994 to 1995.  Mr. O’Rielly received his B.A. from the University of Rochester.

Patrick Pizzella, Nominee for Member, Federal Labor Relations Authority
Patrick Pizzella is Principal at Patrick Pizzella, LLC, a position he has held since 2009.  Mr. Pizzella served as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Administration and Management at the U.S. Department of Labor from 2001 to 2009.  Previously, he worked at Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds LLP as a Government Affairs Counselor from 1998 to 2001 and Director of Coalitions from 1996 to 1997.  From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Pizzella was Director of the Office of Administration at the Federal Housing Finance Board and from 1988 to 1989, Deputy Under Secretary for Management at the U.S. Department of Education.  He has previously held positions at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, U.S. Small Business Administration, and the U.S. General Services Administration.  Mr. Pizzella received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

  • R. Gil Kerlikowske – Commissioner of Customs, Department of Homeland Security
  • Lieutenant General Frank G. Klotz, USAF (Ret) - Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator for Nuclear Security of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy
  • Sarah Sewall – Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Department of State
  • Suzanne E. Spaulding – Under Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
  • Kathryn D. Sullivan – Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce
  • Karen Dynan – Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy, Department of the Treasury
  • Peter J. Kadzik – Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice
  • Anne W. Patterson – Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State
  • Linda Spoonster Schwartz – Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Policy and Planning, Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Stevan E. Bunnell – General Counsel, Department of Homeland Security
  • Steven Croley – General Counsel, Department of Energy
  • Richard F. Griffin – General Counsel, National Labor Relations Board
  • Deborah A. P. Hersman – Chairman and Member, National Transportation Safety Board
  • Christopher A. Hart – Member, National Transportation Safety Board
  • Dwight L. Bush, Sr. – Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, Department of State
  • Pamela K. Hamamoto – Representative of the United States to the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, with the rank of Ambassador, Department of State
  • Matthew T. Harrington - Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho, Department of State

President Obama said, “These dedicated individuals bring a wealth of experience and talent to their new roles and I am proud to have them serve in this Administration.  I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

R. Gil Kerlikowske, Nominee for Commissioner of Customs, Department of Homeland Security
R. Gil Kerlikowske is Director of National Drug Control in the Office of National Drug Control Policy at the White House, a position he has held since 2009.  From 2000 to 2009, he served as Chief of Police in Seattle, Washington.  From 1998 to 2000, he was Deputy Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services at the U.S. Department of Justice.  From 1994 to 1999, he was Police Commissioner of Buffalo, New York.  He began his law enforcement career serving in the St. Petersburg, Florida Police Department from 1972 to 1987.  Mr. Kerlikowske served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972, and in the Army Reserve from 1972 to 1976.  He received a B.A. and an M.A. as well as an D.H.L. from the University of South Florida.

Lieutenant General Frank G. Klotz, USAF (Ret), Nominee for Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator for Nuclear Security of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy

Lieutenant General Frank G. Klotz, USAF (Ret) is the Senior Fellow for Strategic Studies and Arms Control at the Council on Foreign Relations, a role he has held since 2011.  Lieutenant General Klotz has also worked as an independent consultant since 2011.  He is the former Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, a position he held from 2009 to 2011.  From 2007 to 2009, Lieutenant General Klotz was the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff and Director of the Air Staff.  He served as the Vice Commander of Air Force Space Command from 2005 to 2007 and was the Commander of the Twentieth Air Force from 2003 to 2005.  Lieutenant General Klotz served at the White House from 2001 to 2003 as the Director for Nuclear Policy and Arms Control on the National Security Council.  He served as the Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy Moscow from 1999 to 2001.  Lieutenant General Klotz received a B.S. from the Air Force Academy and an MPhil and DPhil from Oxford University.

Dr. Sarah Sewall, Nominee for Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Department of State
Dr. Sarah Sewall is a Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  In 2012, she was Minerva Chair at the Naval War College and from 2006 to 2009 she served as the Director of Harvard's Carr Center for Human Rights Policy.  She joined the Kennedy School in 2000 as Director of the National Security and Human Rights Program, founding the Mass Atrocity Response Operations Project and the Project on the Means of Intervention.  Previously, she was Associate Director for the Committee on International Security Studies at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences from 1998 to 1999.  In 1997, she was a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow at Harvard’s Program on Negotiations.  She served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance at the Department of Defense from 1993 to 1996.  From 1987 to 1996, she was the Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell.  She serves on the boards of Oxfam America, the Secretary of Defense’s Defense Policy Board, and the Center for Naval Analyses.  She received an A.B. from Harvard College and a DPhil from Oxford University.

Suzanne E. Spaulding, Nominee for Under Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
Suzanne E. Spaulding is the Deputy Under Secretary for National Protection Programs at the Department of Homeland Security, a position she has held since 2011.  Prior to joining the Administration, she was a principal in the Bingham Consulting Group from 2006 to 2011.  Previously, she served as the Minority Staff Director for Ranking Member Jane Harman on the U.S. House of Representatives’ Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 2003 to 2004.  In 2002, she was a Member of the Secure Commonwealth Panel.  From 1989 to 1995, Ms. Spaulding served as Assistant General Counsel and the Legal Advisor to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency’s Nonproliferation Center.  From 1983 to 1987, she served as Senior Counsel and Legislative Director for U.S. Senator Arlen Specter.  Ms. Spaulding has also served as Security Counsel for the Business Roundtable, Executive Director of the National Commission on Terrorism, and a member of the Commission to Assess the Organization of the Federal Government to Combat the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.  Ms. Spaulding received a B.A. and a J.D. from the University of Virginia.

Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, Nominee for Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce
Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan is the Assistant Secretary for Observation and Predictions at the Department of Commerce, a position she has held since 2011.  Dr. Sullivan was the inaugural Director of the Battelle Center for Mathematics and Science Education Policy in the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at Ohio State University from 2006 to 2011.  She served as President and CEO of Ohio’s Center of Science and Industry (COSI) from 1996 to 2005.  Previously, Dr. Sullivan served as Chief Scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  She was one of the first six women selected to join the NASA astronaut corps in 1978 and was the first American woman to walk in space.  She flew on three shuttle missions during her 15-year tenure, including the mission that deployed the Hubble Space Telescope.  Dr. Sullivan was an Oceanographer in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1988 to 2006, and served on the National Science Board from 2004 to 2010.  She received a B.S. from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a Ph.D from Dalhousie University in Canada.

Dr. Karen Dynan, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy, Department of the Treasury
Dr. Karen Dynan is Vice President and Co-Director of the Economic Studies Program, and the Robert S. Kerr Senior Fellow, at the Brookings Institution, positions she has held since 2009.  From 1992 to 2009, Dr. Dynan worked at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, where she served in a number of roles in the Division of Research and Statistics, including Senior Adviser in 2009, Assistant Director from 2007 to 2009, Senior Economist and then Chief of the Household and Real Estate Finance Section from 2000 to 2007, and Economist and then Senior Economist in the Macroeconomic Analysis Section from 1992 to 2000.  During her time at the Federal Reserve Board, she also served as a Senior Economist with the Council of Economic Advisers from 2003 to 2004, and as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University in 1998.  Additionally, Dr. Dynan is the Chair of the Board of Overseers of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics.  She is a member of numerous committees and boards, including the Advisory Committee of the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Committee of Economic Statistics of the American Economic Association, and the Advisory Board of the U.S. Financial Diaries.  Dr. Dynan received an A.B. from Brown University and a Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Peter J. Kadzik, Nominee for Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice
Peter J. Kadzik is the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Justice, a position he has held since April 2013.  Previously, Mr. Kadzik was in private practice at Dickstein Shapiro LLP, where he was a Partner from 1986 to 2013, and an Associate from 1980 to 1986.  At the firm, he was Co-Chair of the Antitrust & Financial Services Practice, a Member of the Executive Committee, Chair of the Pro Bono and Hiring Committees, and Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee.  Mr. Kadzik served as Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Columbia from 1978 to 1980.  He clerked for the Honorable Thomas A. Flannery on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia from 1977 to 1978.  Mr. Kadzik received a B.A. from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Ambassador Anne W. Patterson, Nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State
Ambassador Anne W. Patterson, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, is the U.S. Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt.  From 2007 to 2010, Ambassador Patterson was the U.S. Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.  She served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Colombia from 2000 to 2003 and the Republic of El Salvador from 1997 to 2000.  She has served as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Assistant Secretary of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, and Deputy Inspector General at the Department of State.  Ambassador Patterson has held a number of economic and political assignments, including Economic Counselor in Saudi Arabia and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Latin America.  She received a B.A. from Wellesley College.

Linda Spoonster Schwartz, Nominee for Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Policy and Planning, Department of Veterans Affairs
Linda Schwartz, a disabled veteran, is Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, a position she has held since 2003.  She concurrently serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Nursing at the Yale School of Nursing, where she has been on Faculty since 1999 and was appointed Associate Research Scientist and Scholar.  From 1980 to 1993, she taught at several University and College Schools of Nursing and held leadership roles in Nursing organizations in Connecticut.  From 1979 to 1980, she was a caseworker in the Office of the Field Director of the American Red Cross at Rhein-Main Air Base in Germany.  Dr. Schwartz served in the United States Air Force (USAF) Nurse Corps from 1968 to 1986, both on Active Duty and as a Reservist.  She retired as a Flight Nurse Instructor, with the rank of Major after sustaining injuries in a USAF Air Craft accident.  In 2001, she served on the Board of Directors of the American Nurses Association and was elected to the American Academy of Nursing.  From 1996 to 2000, she served as a Member and Chair of the VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans.  She received a B.S. from the University of Maryland, an MSN from Yale University School of Nursing, and a Dr.P.H from the Yale University School of Medicine.

Stevan E. Bunnell, Nominee for General Counsel, Department of Homeland Security
Stevan E. Bunnell is Managing Partner at O’Melveny & Myers, LLP, the Washington, D.C. office, a position he has held since 2011.  From 2004 to 2007, he served as Chief of the Criminal Division and from 2002 to 2004, he was Chief of the Fraud and Public Corruption Section in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.  From 1999 to 2002, he served as Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division and from 1995 to 1999, he worked as a Trial Attorney in the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice.  From 1990 to 1995, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.  He received a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from Stanford University.

Dr. Steven Croley, Nominee for General Counsel, Department of Energy
Dr. Steven Croley is Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Counsel to the President in the Office of the White House Counsel at the White House, a position he has held since 2012.  Previously, he served as Senior Counsel to the President in the Office of the White House Counsel from 2011 to 2012 and Special Assistant to the President for Justice and Regulatory Policy at the White House Domestic Policy Council from 2010 to 2011.  Since 2010, Dr. Croley has been on leave from the University of Michigan Law School where he is the Harry Burns Hutchins Collegiate Professor of Law.  From 2006 to 2010, he served as a Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.  Dr. Croley was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Michigan Law School from 2003 to 2006.  He served as a Research Consultant to the Michigan Law Revision Commission from 1996 to 1999, the Administrative Conference of the United States from 1994 to 1995, and the U.S. Department of Labor from 1994 to 1995.  He began his teaching career as an Assistant Professor of Law at the Michigan Law School in 1993 before becoming a Professor of Law in 1998.  Dr. Croley served as a Law Clerk for Judge Stephen Williams of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit from 1991 to 1992.  Dr. Croley received an A.B. from the University of Michigan, a J.D. from Yale Law School, and a Ph.D. from Princeton University.

Richard F. Griffin, Jr., Nominee for General Counsel, National Labor Relations Board
Richard F. Griffin, Jr. is a Member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), a position he has held since January 2012.  Previously, from 1983 to 2012, Mr. Griffin worked for the International Union of Operating Engineers in a number of roles, including General Counsel and Associate General Counsel.  From 1981 to 1983, he was a Counsel to Board Members of the NLRB.  He is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.  Mr. Griffin received a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law.

Deborah A. P. Hersman, Nominee for Chairman and Member, National Transportation Safety Board
Deborah A. P. Hersman is Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a position she has held since July 2009.  She has served as a Member of the NTSB since 2004.  Previously, Ms. Hersman served as a Senior Professional Staffer for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation from 1999 to 2004.  She served as Staff Director and Senior Legislative Aide to Congressman Bob Wise from 1992 to 1999.  Ms. Hersman received a dual B.A. from Virginia Tech and an M.S. from George Mason University.

Christopher A. Hart, Nominee for Member, National Transportation Safety Board
Christopher A. Hart is Vice Chair and Member of the National Transportation Safety Board.  Previously, he was the Deputy Director for Air Traffic Safety Oversight at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from 2005 to 2009,  and Assistant Administrator for System Safety at the FAA from 1995 to 2005.  From 1994 to 1995, Mr. Hart was Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and from 1990 to 1993 he was a member of the National Transportation Safety Board.  He was an attorney in private practice from 1979 to 1990.  Mr. Hart was the Deputy Assistant General Counsel for Environmental, Civil Rights, and General Law at the Department of Transportation from 1977 to 1979.  He received a B.S.E and M.S.E in Aerospace and Mechanical Sciences from Princeton University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. 

Dwight L. Bush, Sr., Nominee for Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, Department of State
Dwight L. Bush, Sr., is President of D.L. Bush & Associates, a financial advisory and business consulting firm.  He also has served as Vice Chairman of EntreMed, Inc. since 2010 and Director since 2004.  Previously, Mr. Bush was the President and CEO of Urban Trust Bank, Urban Trust Holding and President of UTB Education Finance from 2006 to 2008.  From 1998 to 2006, Mr. Bush served as a Principal at Stuart Mill Capital, LLC, Chief Financial Officer at SatoTravel Holdings, Inc., and Vice Chairman at Enhanced Capital Partners, LLC.  He served as Vice President of Corporate Development of Sallie Mae Corporation from 1994 to 1997.  He began his career at the Chase Manhattan Bank in 1979 where he was a Managing Director in the Project Finance Group when he resigned.  Mr. Bush has worked with a variety of philanthropic and education institutions including Cornell University, the GAVI Alliance, National Symphony Orchestra, and the Joint Centers for Social and Economic Studies.  He is also currently a trustee and member of the Executive Committee of Xavier University in Louisiana.  Mr. Bush received a B.A. from Cornell University.

Pamela K. Hamamoto, Nominee for Representative of the United States to the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, with the rank of Ambassador, Department of State
Pamela K. Hamamoto is a member of the Board of Trustees at The Branson School.  She was a member of the Board of Trustees at Marin Country Day School from 2007 to 2013, and from 2008 to 2012 she also served on the Stanford University Athletic Board.  From 1999 to 2008, she served on the Board of Trustees of the Ring Mountain Day School.  Previously, Ms. Hamamoto worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the Investment Banking Division of the firm’s New York and San Francisco offices from 1990 to 1991 and 1994 to 1999.  From 1991 to 1994, she worked at Merrill Lynch & Co. as a Vice President in Corporate Finance in the firm’s Los Angeles office.  From 1986 to 1988, Ms. Hamamoto worked in the telecommunications industry as a Senior Business Planner for GTE Hawaiian Tel.  From 1983 to 1985, she was a Civil Engineer for Pacific Gas & Electric Co.  She received a B.S. and an M.S. from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Matthew T. Harrington, Nominee for Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho, Department of State
Matthew T. Harrington, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, is the Director of the Office of Analysis for Africa, Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the Department of State.  From 2010 to 2012, Mr. Harrington served as a Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commander of United States Army South, the army component of U.S. Southern Command.  He served as the Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia from 2008 to 2010 and as Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs, U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal from 2005 to 2008.  From 2003 to 2005, he served as the Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Lome, Togo, and from 2000 to 2003 he served as a Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe.  From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Harrington served as the Sudan Desk Officer in the Bureau of African Affairs and from 1997 to 1998, he served as a Watch Officer in the Operations Center.  Mr. Harrington served as a Political Officer, U.S. Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil from 1995 to 1997 and as a Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana from 1992 to 1994.  He served as a Program Associate with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities from 1990 to 1991 and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zouerate, Mauritania from 1988 to 1989.  He received a B.A. from Washington and Lee University.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

President Obama Announces his Intent to Nominate Deborah Lee James as Secretary of the Air Force

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate Deborah Lee James as Secretary of the Air Force.

President Obama said, “Deborah’s strong record of public service and leadership in the private sector makes her uniquely qualified to be my nominee for Secretary of the Air Force.  I look forward to working with her to keep our Air Force the very best in the world and to keep faith with our extraordinary Air Force personnel and their families.”

President Obama announced his intent to nominate Deborah Lee James as Secretary of the Air Force:

Deborah Lee James, Nominee for Secretary of the Air Force, Department of Defense
Deborah Lee James is President of the Technology and Engineering Sector at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), a position she has held since 2013.  From 2004 to 2013, she was the Senior Vice President of the C4IT Business Unit and then the Executive Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs at SAIC.  From 2000 to 2001, Ms. James was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Business Executives for National Security.  From 1998 to 2000, she was the Vice President in the International Operations and Marketing division at United Technologies.  From 1993 to 1998, Ms. James served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs at the Department of Defense.  She began her career in national security as a Professional Staff Member in the U.S. House of Representatives on the House Armed Services Committee from 1983 to 1993.  Ms. James is currently a committee member of the Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, an Advisory Board Member of the Women in Military Service Memorial Foundation’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Campaign, and an Advisory Board Member of The Citadel School of Engineering.  Ms. James received a B.A. from Duke University and an M.A. from Columbia University.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

Readout of the President's Meeting with Members of Congress on FISA Issues

This afternoon, President Obama invited a group of bipartisan members to discuss key programs under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.  The President requested this meeting to hear from some of the programs’ most prominent critics and defenders. 

Today’s meeting was constructive and the President committed that he and his team would continue to work closely with the Congress on these matters in the weeks and months ahead.

The following Members of Congress participated:

•         Senator Dick Durbin, D-IL, Assistant Majority Leader

•         Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-CA, Chair, Select Committee on Intelligence

•         Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-GA, Ranking Member, Select Committee on Intelligence

•         Senator Ron Wyden, D-OR

•         Senator Mark Udall, D-CO

•         Representative Mike Rogers, R-MI, Chairman, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

•         Representative Dutch Ruppersberger, D-MD, Ranking Member, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

•         Representative Jim Sensenbrenner, R-WI

•         Representative  Bob Goodlatte, R-VA, Chairman, Judiciary Committee

President Obama's Bilateral Meeting with President Abdo Rabu Mansour Hadi of Yemen

August 01, 2013 | 10:53 | Public Domain

President Obama and President Abdo Rabu Mansour Hadi of Yemen speak to the press after a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office.

Download mp4 (400MB) | mp3 (26MB)

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

President Obama Nominates Six to Serve on the United States District Courts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama nominated Christopher Reid Cooper, Daniel D. Crabtree, M. Douglas Harpool, Sheryl H. Lipman, Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr., and Judge Edward G. Smith for District Court judgeships.

“I am honored to put forward these highly qualified candidates for the federal bench,” President Obama said.  “They will be distinguished public servants and valuable additions to the United States District Court.”

Christopher Reid Cooper:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Christopher “Casey” Reid Cooper has been a partner at the law firm Covington & Burling LLP since February 2012.  Previously, he was a partner at Baker Botts LLP from 2001 to 2012 and an associate at Miller, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin LLC from 1996 until it merged with Baker Botts in 2001.  In private practice, Cooper has represented a diverse set of clients in both criminal and civil investigations, with a focus on white-collar and anti-corruption matters.  From 1994 to 1996, he served as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Attorney General in the United States Department of Justice.  He began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge Abner J. Mikva of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1993 to 1994.  Cooper received his J.D. with distinction in 1993 from Stanford Law School, where he was President of the Stanford Law Review, and his B.A. summa cum laude in 1988 from Yale University.

Daniel D. Crabtree:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Kansas
Daniel D. Crabtree is a partner at the law firm of Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP in Kansas City.  He joined Stinson Mag & Fizzell, PC—a predecessor of his current firm—as an associate in 1981 and has spent his entire legal career at the firm, becoming a partner in 1988.  Over the course of his career, Crabtree has represented businesses and governmental entities in complex civil litigation in federal and state courts.  He also acts as the General Counsel for the Kansas City Royals Baseball Club.  Crabtree received his B.A. in 1978 from Ottawa University and his J.D. in 1981 from the University of Kansas School of Law.

M. Douglas Harpool:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
M. Douglas Harpool has been a shareholder at the law firm Baird, Lightner, Millsap & Harpool, PC in Springfield since 2006, where he handles a broad array of civil litigation.  He previously worked at Lathrop & Gage LLP from 2004 to 2006; at Cunningham, Harpool & Cardonnier LLC from 2002 to 2003; and at Daniel, Clampett, Lilly, Dalton, Powell & Cunningham from 1980 to 2001.  From 1983 to 1992, Harpool served as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives.  He received his J.D. in 1980 from the University of Missouri Columbia School of Law and his B.S. cum laude in 1977 from Missouri State University.   

Sheryl H. Lipman:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
Sheryl H. Lipman has been University Counsel for the University of Memphis since 2002, having joined the University as Senior Attorney in 1999.  She is responsible for the legal interests of the University, serving as its primary in-house counsel on all major litigation and providing regulatory advice on a wide variety of issues.  Previously, Lipman practiced civil litigation while working at Burch, Porter & Johnson, PLLC from 1997 to 1999, served as Vice President of Comprehensive Services at the Memphis Race Relations & Diversity Institute from 1996 to 1997, and also practiced civil litigation at Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs LLP from 1991 to 1995. From 1988 to 1991, Lipman worked at Reed Smith, where she focused on white-collar criminal defense work.  She clerked for the Honorable Judge Julia S. Gibbons on the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee from 1987 to 1988.  Lipman received her J.D. in 1987 from the New York University School of Law and her B.G.S. in 1984 from the University of Michigan.

Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr.:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr. is a partner at the Philadelphia law firm of Raynes McCarty, where he handles complex civil litigation involving tort, insurance, and civil rights claims.  Prior to joining Raynes McCarty in 2004, McHugh was a shareholder for 23 years with the civil litigation law firm of Litvin, Blumberg, Matusow, and Young.  From 1979 to 1981, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Alfred L. Luongo of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and, in 1979, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Edmund B. Spaeth of the Pennsylvania Superior Court.  McHugh received his J.D. cum laude in 1979 from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and his A.B. summa cum laude in 1976 from St. Joseph’s University.  

Judge Edward G. Smith:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Judge Edward G. Smith has served on the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas in Northampton County since 2002, handling both civil and criminal matters.  He is also a 27-year veteran of the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps, holding the rank of Captain, and currently serves as Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Naval Justice School.  Judge Smith previously served tours as both a military trial judge and military appellate judge and has earned the Bronze Star for service during combat operations in Iraq.  From 1990 until his election to the bench, Judge Smith was a partner in the law firm of DeRaymond & Smith in Easton, Pennsylvania.  He began his legal career serving as an Assistant Force Judge Advocate in Norfolk, Virginia and then served as a Senior Trial Defense Counsel for two years in Philadelphia, representing Navy and Marine Corps personnel in various matters.  He received his J.D. cum laude in 1986 from the Dickinson School of Law and his B.A. in 1983 from Franklin and Marshall College.