The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 31, 2013

President Obama Signs North Dakota Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of North Dakota and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm during the period of October 4-5, 2013.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in the counties of Adams, Bowman, Grant, Hettinger, Morton, Sioux, and Slope. 

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Gary R. Stanley as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 31, 2013

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia

President Obama will host President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia at the White House on Tuesday, December 3.  The visit will highlight our longstanding partnership with Colombia and our continuing support for the Santos Administration’s efforts to achieve peace and to build a more democratic society.  The President looks forward to discussing cooperation on promoting citizen security, respect for human rights, and economic prosperity for all Colombians.  The President also looks forward to discussing the expansion of our economic ties, anchored by the growing trade relationship we share through the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 31, 2013

FACT SHEET: Marking Progress on the Second Anniversary of the Open Government Partnership

In September 2011, President Obama joined the leaders of seven other nations in announcing the launch of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) – a global effort to encourage transparent, effective, and accountable governance.

Two years later, OGP has grown to 60 countries that have made more than 1000 commitments to improve the governance of more than two billion people around the globe.  OGP is now a global community of government reformers, civil society leaders, and business innovators working together to develop and implement ambitious open government reforms and advance good governance.

The United States and its OGP partners have made significant progress on their initial commitments.  For example, the United States launched the We the People petitions platform, allowing more than 10 million users to create more than 270,000 petitions on topics ranging from gun violence to foreign policy.  Chile created online “one stop shops” for government services that have saved citizens 4 million hours in travel and wait time while also resulting in savings for the government.  And Indonesia launched a program where citizens can report on anything from public officials requesting bribes to damaged bridges to teacher absenteeism from their cellphones and online.

Today at the OGP summit in London, the United States announced a new U.S. Open Government National Action Plan that includes six ambitious new commitments that will advance these efforts even further.  Those commitments include expanding open data, modernizing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), increasing fiscal transparency, increasing corporate transparency, advancing citizen engagement and empowerment, and more effectively managing public resources.

Expand Open Data:  Open Data fuels innovation that grows the economy and advances government transparency and accountability.  Government data has been used by journalists to uncover variations in hospital billings, by citizens to learn more about the social services provided by charities in their communities, and by entrepreneurs building new software tools to help farmers plan and manage their crops.  Building upon the successful implementation of open data commitments in the first U.S. National Action Plan, the new Plan will include commitments to make government data more accessible and useful for the public, such as reforming how Federal agencies manage government data as a strategic asset, launching a new version of Data.gov, and expanding agriculture and nutrition data to help farmers and communities.

Modernize the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA):  The FOIA encourages accountability through transparency and represents a profound national commitment to open government principles.  Improving FOIA administration is one of the most effective ways to make the U.S. Government more open and accountable.  Today, the United States announced a series of commitments to further modernize FOIA processes, including launching a consolidated online FOIA service to improve customers’ experience and making training resources available to FOIA professionals and other Federal employees.

Increase Fiscal Transparency:   The Administration will further increase the transparency of where Federal tax dollars are spent by making federal spending data more easily available on USASpending.gov; facilitating the publication of currently unavailable procurement contract information; and enabling Americans to more easily identify who is receiving tax dollars, where those entities or individuals are located, and how much they receive.

Increase Corporate Transparency:  Preventing criminal organizations from concealing the true ownership and control of businesses they operate is a critical element in safeguarding U.S. and international financial markets, addressing tax avoidance, and combatting corruption in the United States and abroad.  Today we committed to take further steps to enhance transparency of legal entities formed in the United States. 

Advance Citizen Engagement and Empowerment:  OGP was founded on the principle that an active and robust civil society is critical to open and accountable governance.  In the next year, the Administration will intensify its efforts to roll back and prevent new restrictions on civil society around the world in partnership with other governments, multilateral institutions, the philanthropy community, the private sector, and civil society.  This effort will focus on improving the legal and regulatory framework for civil society, promoting best practices for government-civil society collaboration, and conceiving of new and innovative ways to support civil society globally.

More Effectively Manage Public Resources:   Two years ago, the Administration committed to ensuring that American taxpayers receive every dollar due for the extraction of the nation’s natural resources by committing to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).  We continue to work toward achieving full EITI compliance in 2016.  Additionally, the U.S. Government will disclose revenues on geothermal and renewable energy and discuss future disclosure of timber revenues.

For more information on OGP, please visit www.opengovpartnership.org or follow @opengovpart on Twitter.

 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 31, 2013

New Report: Foreign Direct Investment In the United States

Report Prepared by the Department of Commerce and the President’s Council of Economic Advisers:

The United States has been the world’s largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) since 2006.  Every day, foreign companies establish new operations in the United States or provide additional capital to established businesses.  With the world’s largest consumer market, skilled and productive workers, a highly innovative environment, appropriate legal protections, a predictable regulatory environment, and a growing energy sector, the United States offers an attractive investment climate for firms across the globe.

Foreign direct investment in the United States is substantial

  • In 2012, net U.S. assets of foreign affiliates totaled $3.9 trillion.  The United States consistently ranks as one of the top destinations in the world for foreign direct investment (FDI), with inflows totaling $1.5 trillion in FDI just since 2006.  For 2012, FDI inflows totaled $166 billion.

  • The U.S. manufacturing sector draws a considerable share of FDI dollars, led by pharmaceuticals and petroleum and coal products.  Outside manufacturing, wholesale trade; mining; non-bank holding companies; finance and insurance; and banking receive the greatest shares of foreign investment.  

  • Investment flows into the United States come mostly from a small number of industrial countries.  Since 2010, Japan, Canada, Australia, Korea, and seven European countries[i] collectively have accounted for more than 80 percent of new FDI.   Although still small, flows from emerging economies like China and Brazil are growing rapidly. 

Foreign direct investment benefits the U.S. Economy

  • In 2011, value-added by majority-owned U.S. affiliates of foreign companies accounted for 4.7 percent of total U.S. private output. 

  • These firms employed 5.6 million people in the United States, or 4.1 percent of private-sector employment.  About one-third of jobs at U.S. affiliates are in the manufacturing sector. 

  • These affiliates account for 9.6 percent of U.S. private investment and 15.9 percent of U.S. private research and development spending. 

  • In the 2008-09 recession and subsequent recovery, employment at U.S. affiliates was more stable than overall private-sector employment.  As a result, U.S. affiliates’ share of total U.S. manufacturing employment rose from 14.8 percent in 2007 to 17.8 percent in 2011. 

  • Compensation at U.S. affiliates has been consistently higher than the U.S. average over time, and the differential holds for both manufacturing and non-manufacturing jobs.  

Looking ahead, the United States will remain an attractive destination for foreign investment, and this investment will help bolster our economy.  However, we need to continue to nurture and build upon the underlying strengths of the U.S. economy that make firms want to invest here; including an open investment regime, a large economy, a skilled labor force, community colleges, world-class research universities, predictable and stable regulatory regime, adequate infrastructure, and new energy sources. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 31, 2013

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Confirmation of Katherine Archuleta as Director of the Office of Personnel Management

The President applauds the Senate for confirming today Katherine Archuleta to be the next Director of the Office of Personnel Management.  Katherine brings broad experience and a deep commitment to recruiting and retaining a world-class workforce for the American people. She is an established advocate for public service and federal workers.  Katherine shares President Obama’s vision for diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce and she will be a champion for federal workers – the dedicated men and women who are devoted to public service.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 31, 2013

President Obama to Announce First-Ever Federal Effort to Attract Job-Creating Foreign Investment to the United States

Expanding and Enhancing SelectUSA

Today, President Obama is announcing the first-ever comprehensive, all hands on deck effort led by the federal government to bring jobs and investment from around the world to the U.S. through aggressive expansion and enhancement of SelectUSA. 

  • U.S. is becoming an increasingly more competitive location for investment: The U.S. is the top destination for foreign direct investment and is becoming increasingly more competitive in attracting investment due to rising productivity, abundant low-cost energy, and rising costs elsewhere – as analysis from the Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey, AT Kearney and others have underscored.

  • To date, however, the U.S. has never before coordinated efforts to attract job-creating foreign investment: Unlike export promotion, the U.S. has historically left states and cities to compete directly with foreign countries.  A coordinated federal effort would help our governors and mayors compete for job-creating foreign investment on a level playing field.

  • Today, the President is announcing the first-ever coordinated effort to actively recruit businesses to bring investment and jobs to the U.S.: To seize on America’s growing competitiveness, the Administration is creating the first-ever coordinated federal effort, hosted by the Department of Commerce, to attract foreign investment through enhancement and expansion of SelectUSA outlined below, while continuing to call on Congress to provide all necessary resources.

  • Making job-creating foreign investment a core priority: For the first time, domestic and overseas teams at Commerce and State will make recruiting business investment one of their core priorities, alongside their traditional focus on export promotion and commercial advocacy.  

  • First-ever coordinated, global teams led by Ambassadors to actively work to bring jobs to U.S.: For the first time, the U.S. will organize dedicated investment teams led by Ambassadors to actively encourage and track job-creating investment into the U.S. This will begin in 32 priority markets which represent over 90 percent of foreign direct investment into the U.S.

  • First coordinated advocacy process to include senior-most Administration officials, including all the way up to the President: Historically, on an ad hoc basis, senior government officials have been involved in advocacy for business investment in the U.S. But going forward, the Administration is creating the first-ever coordinated advocacy process to link international teams with senior government officials all the way up to the President to recruit businesses to bring jobs to the U.S.

  • For the first time, there will be a single point of contact for ready investors looking to bring jobs and production to the U.S.: For the first time, SelectUSA will create single points of contact for businesses looking to bring jobs and production to the U.S. This will include greater coordination between SelectUSA headquarters in Washington D.C., in-country resources at the Embassy, and state-based economic development organizations.

  • First ever effort to coordinate support for states and localities to attract investment: For the first time, we will help regional, state, and local economic development organizations attract investment, improving coordination to increase their success rate and connecting them with overseas markets and investors through our Missions. 

Expanding and Enhancing SelectUSA

On Thursday, October 31st President Obama will host and deliver remarks at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C., where he will announce aggressive expansion and enhancement of SelectUSA. Building on the progress-to-date with SelectUSA, which was launched in June 2011, the Commerce Department, State Department and White House, along with other federal agencies, are launching the first-ever fully coordinated effort at home and around the world to actively recruit businesses to bring investment to the U.S.  This announcement takes major strides forward, but the President will also continue to call on Congress to provide the necessary resources required to build the full suite of capabilities required to realize our shared ambition for SelectUSA.  Specific actions of the new and expanded initiative include:

  • SelectUSA will for the first time deeply support states and cities to attract and compete for job-creating investment into the U.S.: SelectUSA will help regional, state, and local economic development organizations attract investment, improving coordination to increase their success rate and connecting them with overseas markets and investors through our Missions.  Leveraging the federal government’s domestic networks, SelectUSA will provide new services to our domestic partners, including counseling on implementing best practice investment attraction strategies, data and analysis of investment trends to help better allocate resources in attracting job-creating investment.

  • SelectUSA will encourage job-creating foreign investment as a core priority in a coordinated, all hands on deck manner for the first time:  Historically, the federal government has not organized to encourage job-creating investment from around the world akin to how we have coordinated global efforts to promote U.S. exports.  Now, our domestic and overseas commercial teams at Commerce and State will make actively recruiting jobs and investment a top priority, ensuring that the entire team is consistently working to bring jobs to the U.S. and promote the U.S. as the premiere destination for global investment, while actively generating interested investors and working in partnership with U.S. economic development organizations (EDOs) at the state, regional, and local levels.

  • SelectUSA will develop the first-ever coordinated, global team to actively work to bring jobs back to the U.S. led directly by our Ambassadors:  In 32 initial economies with substantial potential investments into the U.S., investment teams will develop country-specific strategies that make investment promotion a key priority, coordinated with efforts to promote U.S. exports and support U.S. businesses.  Investment teams will be created as part of a phased implementation to prioritize locations with the largest potential for U.S. investment.  Among other activities, Missions will expand outreach to prospective investors to consider investment to the U.S., host or participate in in-country or regional events to encourage investment, and leverage local business connections to promote U.S. investment.  The expanded effort will rely on leveraging existing resources and refocusing priorities, drawing on increased support from SelectUSA headquarters.  Investment metrics will be tracked globally with regular reporting to track progress and share best practices.

  • SelectUSA will for the first time include a seamless process to enlist top Administration officials all the way up to the President to actively advocate for high-priority investments into the U.S.: For the first time, the U.S. federal government will actively advocate with business leaders to locate production and investment in the U.S., a tactic often employed by competitor nations looking to attract investment.  Previously, a state like Pennsylvania would be left to compete head-to-head with othre major industrialized nations.  Now, our states, regions, and cities will have the full support of top federal officials, including the President, in advocating with businesses from around the world to select the U.S. as the location for new jobs and investment.  Advocacy will be both ‘generic’, encouraging the U.S. generally, and ‘specific’, advocating on behalf of a U.S. location when a decision is down to that specific location and non-U.S. options.

  • SelectUSA will create for the first time single points of contact for investors looking to locate in the U.S.: SelectUSA headquarters, located at the Department of Commerce, will assign a single point-of-contact for ready investors looking to locate and create jobs in the U.S.  In partnership with state and local economic development officials, SelectUSA will help investors gather the information needed to choose the U.S. as a location, navigate through federal agency processes, and provide general investment counseling support.  SelectUSA headquarters will increase support for the SelectUSA Investment Teams around the world, providing them with the information, analysis, services, and process coordination needed to engage with investors and promote the U.S.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
October 30, 2013

Readout of Vice President Biden's Meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki

This morning, Vice President Biden hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his delegation for breakfast at the Naval Observatory.  The Vice President and Prime Minister had a friendly, constructive exchange.  They spoke about the security challenges facing Iraq and the entire region.  Vice President Biden reiterated the U.S. commitment to equip Iraqis to fight Al Qaeda, and Prime Minister Maliki made clear that he views the United States as Iraq’s security partner of choice.  The two leaders discussed the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to Iraq’s security challenges, to include political outreach to local leaders, as well as targeted security efforts.  They also discussed regional issues and agreed to work to continue the progress Iraq has made in strengthening its relations with Kuwait, Jordan, Turkey, and other states in the region.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 30, 2013

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Robert C. Barber, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Iceland.

Nani A. Coloretti, of California, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of the Treasury, vice Daniel M. Tangherlini, resigned.

Bathsheba Nell Crocker, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Executive Service,  to be an Assistant Secretary of State (International Organization Affairs), vice Esther Brimmer, resigned.

Jonathan Elkind, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (International Affairs), vice David B. Sandalow, resigned.

Mark Gilbert, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to New Zealand.

Joseph S. Hezir, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy, vice Steven Jeffrey Isakowitz, resigned.

Tina S. Kaidanow, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large, vice Daniel Benjamin, resigned.

William A. LaPlante, Jr., of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, vice Sue C. Payton.

Theodore Reed Mitchell, of California, to be Under Secretary of Education, vice Martha J. Kanter.

Massie Ritsch, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach, Department of Education, vice Peter Cunningham.

Charles Hammerman Rivkin, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Economic and Business Affairs), vice Jose W. Fernandez, resigned.

Rhea Sun Suh, of Colorado, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, vice Thomas L. Strickland, resigned.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 30, 2013

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

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

·       Robert C. Barber – Ambassador to the Republic of Iceland, Department of State

·       Nani A. Coloretti – Chief Financial Officer, Department of the Treasury

·       Bathsheba N. Crocker – Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs, Department of State

·       Jonathan Elkind – Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, Department of Energy

·       Mark D. Gilbert – Ambassador to New Zealand, Department of State

·       Joseph Hezir – Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy

·       Tina S. Kaidanow – Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank of Ambassador at Large, Department of State

·       William A. LaPlante, Jr. – Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Department of Defense

·       Ted Mitchell – Under Secretary, Department of Education

·       Massie Ritsch – Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach, Department of Education

·       Charles H. Rivkin – Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, Department of State

·       Rhea Suh – Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, Department of the Interior

President Obama said, “I am proud to nominate such impressive men and women to these important roles, and I am grateful they have agreed to lend their considerable talents to this Administration.  I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

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

Robert C. Barber, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Iceland, Department of State

Robert C. Barber is an attorney with the law firm Looney & Grossman LLP, where he has worked since 1981.  He became a partner in 1985 and served as managing partner from 2001 to 2003.  Previously, Mr. Barber was an Assistant District Attorney for New York County from 1977 to 1981, and a Law Clerk in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in Boston and Brooklyn from 1974 to 1977.  Mr. Barber served on the Obama for America National Finance Committee, including the New England Steering Committee from 2007 to 2008 and Chair of the New England Steering Committee from 2009 to 2012.  Mr. Barber has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Social Law Library since 1998.  He is a Trustee of Phillips Brooks House Association and a Director of Abbot Academy Association.  Mr. Barber received an A.B. from Harvard College, a J.D. from Boston University School of Law, and an M.C.P. from Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

Nani A. Coloretti, Nominee for Chief Financial Officer, Department of the Treasury

Nani A. Coloretti is the Assistant Secretary for Management at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, a position she has held since November 2012.  From 2009 to 2012, she served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management and Budget.  Prior to joining the Administration, Ms. Coloretti worked in the San Francisco Mayor’s office from 2005 until 2009, most recently serving as Budget Director.  Previously, Ms. Coloretti served as the Director of Policy, Planning, and Budget for the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families from 1999 to 2005.  Ms. Coloretti worked as a Health Financing Branch Budget Examiner for the U.S. Office of Management and Budget from 1994 to 1997.  She was a Budget Analyst for the Department of Public Safety in the State of Hawaii from 1991 to 1992.  Ms. Coloretti is a recipient of the National Public Service Award, the Public Policy and International Affairs Achievement Award, and the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.  Ms. Coloretti received a B.A. in Economics and Communications from the University of Pennsylvania and a M.P.P. from the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley.

Bathsheba N. Crocker, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs, Department of State

Bathsheba N. Crocker is the Principal Deputy Director in the Office of Policy Planning at the Department of State (DOS), a position she has held since 2011.  Previously at DOS, she served as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of State from 2009 to 2011.  From 2008 to 2009, Ms. Crocker was a Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer for International Affairs at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  She was the Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support at the UN Peacebuilding Support Office from 2007 to 2008.  From 2005 to 2007, Ms. Crocker was the Deputy Chief of Staff to the UN Special Envoy at the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery.  Ms. Crocker worked at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project as a Fellow and Co-Director from 2003 to 2005 and as an International Affairs Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations from 2002 to 2003.  Ms. Crocker was an Attorney-Adviser for the Office of the Legal Advisor at DOS from 2001 to 2002 and from 1997 to 1999.  From 2000 to 2001, she was Deputy U.S. Special Representative for Southeast Europe Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy.  From 1999 to 2000, Ms. Crocker was Executive Assistant to the Deputy National Security Advisor for the National Security Council at the White House.  She has served as an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, George Washington University, and American University.  Ms. Crocker received a B.A. from Stanford University, an M.A. from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Jonathan Elkind, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, Department of Energy

Jonathan Elkind is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Policy and International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), a position he has held since 2009.  Previously, from 2006 to 2009, Mr. Elkind was a Non-Resident Senior Fellow with The Brookings Institution.  Additionally, from 2002 to 2009, he was a Principal with Eastlink Consulting, LLC.  Mr. Elkind was a Senior Researcher for the Joint Global Change Research Institute at the University of Maryland, College Park from 2001 to 2002.  He served in several capacities in the White House from 1996 to 2001, including: Director of Russian, Ukranian, and Eurasian Affairs for the National Security Council from 1998 to 2001 and Special Advisor for International Affairs within the Office of the Vice President from 1996 to 1998.  He also held roles at DOE from 1993 to 1996 and the Council on Environmental Quality from 1989 to 1993.  Mr. Elkind received a A.B. from the University of Michigan, an M.A. from Columbia University, and an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland.

Mark D. Gilbert, Nominee for Ambassador to New Zealand, Department of State

Mark D. Gilbert is a Director at Barclays Wealth (formerly Lehman Brothers) in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Mr. Gilbert was the Senior Vice President of Goldman Sachs in Miami from 1989 to 1996 and the Senior Vice President Sales Manager of Drexel Burnham Lambert in Boca Raton from 1986 to 1989.  Mr. Gilbert was the Democratic National Committee’s Deputy National Finance Chair from 2009 to 2013.  He served on the Obama for America National Finance Committee from 2007 to 2008 and 2011 to 2012, and was a member of the Presidential Inaugural Finance Committee in 2009.  Mr. Gilbert was Finance Chairman and Advisor to the Klein for Congress Campaign from 2005 to 2006 and was a Trustee on the National Finance Committee for Kerry for President in 2004.  Before beginning his business career, Mr. Gilbert was a professional baseball player for several years and played in the major leagues with the Chicago White Sox in 1985.  Mr. Gilbert received a B.S. in Finance from Florida State University. 

Joseph Hezir, Nominee for Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy

Joseph Hezir is a Research Engineer and the Executive Director of The Future of Solar Energy Study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative, positions he has held since 2009.  Since 1992, he has also been the Vice President and Managing Partner of EOP Group, Inc. as well as Executive Vice President of EOP Education, LLC and EOP Foundation, Inc.  Mr. Hezir served at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as the Deputy Associate Director for Energy and Science from 1986 to 1992, and as Chief of the Non-Nuclear Energy Branch from 1982 to 1986.  He held various roles at OMB, Exxon Research and Engineering Company, the President’s Reorganization Project, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from 1973 to 1986.  Mr. Hezir received a B.S. and M.S. from Carnegie Mellon University.

Ambassador Tina S. Kaidanow, Nominee for Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank of Ambassador at Large, Department of State

Ambassador Tina S. Kaidanow, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, most recently served as Deputy Ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan from 2012 to 2013.  Prior to this, she was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State from 2011 to 2012 and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs from 2009 to 2011. From 2006 to 2009, Ambassador Kaidanow was Chief of Mission and Principal Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo.  She became the first U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo in July 2008, and served in Bosnia-Herzegovina as Deputy Chief of Mission from 2003 to 2006.  From 2000 to 2002, she was Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State, and from 1999 to 2000 she was Director for Southeast European Affairs on the National Security Council at the White House.  From 1998 to 1999, she was Special Assistant to the Special Envoy for Kosovo at U.S. Embassy Skopje, Macedonia, and prior to that she spent tours as a political officer in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1997 to 1998 and Serbia from 1995 to 1997.  Ambassador Kaidanow joined the Foreign Service in 1994.  She received a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.Phil. from Columbia University. 

Dr. William A. LaPlante, Jr., Nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Department of Defense

Dr. William A. LaPlante, Jr. is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, a position he has held since May 2013.  Previously, from 2011 to 2013, Dr. LaPlante was Missile Defense Portfolio Director at the MITRE Corporation.  He began his career at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in 1985 and served in various capacities until 2011, including Global Engagement Department Head, Business Area Executive for Undersea Warfare and National Security Technology Associate Department Head, and the Strategic Submarine Security Program Area Manager.  Dr. LaPlante was appointed to the Defense Science Board in 2010.  He has also been a member of the USSTRATCOM Strategic Advisory Group and an adjunct lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Catholic University of America.  Dr. LaPlante received a B.S. from the University of Illinois, an M.S. from Johns Hopkins University, and a Ph.D. from Catholic University of America.

Dr. Ted Mitchell, Nominee for Under Secretary, Department of Education

Dr. Ted Mitchell is currently the CEO of the NewSchools Venture Fund, a position he has held since 2005.  In addition, Dr. Mitchell served as President of the NewSchools Venture Fund from 2005 to 2013.  Prior to this, Dr. Mitchell served as President of Occidental College from 1999 to 2005.  He previously worked at the University of California at Los Angeles, serving as Vice Chancellor for External Affairs from 1997 to 1998, Vice Chancellor for Academic Planning and Budget from 1996 to 1997, and Dean of the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies from 1992 to 1998.  He was Deputy to the President and to the Provost of Stanford University from 1991 to 1992.  Dr. Mitchell was Chair of the Department of Education at Dartmouth College from 1989 to 1991.  Dr. Mitchell received a B.A. in History and Economics, an M.A. in History, and a Ph.D. in Social Sciences in Education from Stanford University.

Massie Ritsch, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach, Department of Education

Massie Ritsch is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for External Affairs and Outreach at the Department of Education, a position he has held since 2009.  He served as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach from 2012 to 2013.  From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Ritsch was the Communications Director for the Center for Responsive Politics, where he helped oversee www.OpenSecrets.org.  From 2003 to 2005, he was Vice President of Sugerman Communications Group.  Mr. Ritsch began his career as a politics and education reporter for The Los Angeles Times from 1998 to 2003.  He received a B.A. from Princeton University.

Ambassador Charles H. Rivkin, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, Department of State

Ambassador Charles H. Rivkin is the U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco, a position he has held since 2009.  From 2005 to 2009, Ambassador Rivkin was the President and CEO of W!LDBRAIN, an award-winning film and television show production company.  From 1988 to 2003, he served in various roles for The Jim Henson Company, most recently as the President and CEO.  Previously, Ambassador Rivkin was an analyst in Corporate Finance at Salomon Brothers from 1984 to 1986.  Before his service as Ambassador, he served on the boards of various companies and organizations, including Save the Children from 1997 to 2003 and Chrysalis from 1996 to 2002.  From 1996 to 2009, he was a Member of the Young Presidents Organization and from 2007 to 2009 he was a Member of the Pacific Council on International Policy.  Ambassador Rivkin received a B.A. from Yale University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Rhea Suh, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, Department of the Interior

Rhea Suh is the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget at the Department of the Interior, a position she has held since 2009. Previously, Ms. Suh was the Program Officer and Manager of the Western Conservation Subprogram of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation from 2007 to 2009.  From 1998 to 2007, Ms. Suh was the Program Officer for the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation’s Environment Program, and from 1993 to 1996 she served as a Senior Legislative Assistant to Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell.  Ms. Suh received a B.A. from Barnard College and a M.A. from Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

 

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
October 30, 2013

Sesame Street Characters to Promote Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Consumption to Kids

First Lady Michelle Obama joined by Sesame Street’s Elmo and Rosita for an announcement that will help market healthier choices for families

Washington, DC – As part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, Mrs. Obama today joined Sesame Street’s Elmo and Rosita to announce that Sesame Workshop and the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) joined the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) in a two-year agreement to help promote fresh fruit and vegetable consumption to kids, making those healthy choices a little easier for busy parents and families to make. The agreement allows PMA’s community of growers, suppliers and retailers to utilize the strength and influence of the Sesame Street brand without a licensing fee, using characters like Big Bird, Elmo, Rosita and Abby Cadabby to help deliver messages about fresh fruits and vegetables. Sesame Street characters may be on produce in stores as early as mid-2014.

The announcement comes on the heels of the first ever White House convening on food marketing to children, during which Mrs. Obama called on stakeholders to leverage the power of marketing to promote healthy products and decrease the marketing of unhealthy products to kids. 

“Just imagine what will happen when we take our kids to the grocery store, and they see Elmo and Rosita and the other Sesame Street Muppets they love up and down the produce aisle,” said First Lady Michelle Obama today. “Imagine what it will be like to have our kids begging us to buy them fruits and vegetables instead of cookies, candy and chips. That’s what this new collaboration between Sesame Workshop and the Produce Marketing Association is all about – showing our kids that healthy food can be fun and that fruits and vegetables don’t just make us feel good, they taste good too.”

In her remarks, the First Lady referenced a recent study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine conducted by researchers at Cornell University. Researchers gave kids a choice between eating an apple, a cookie, or both and the vast majority of the kids chose the cookies. But when the researchers put Elmo stickers on the apples and let the kids choose again, nearly double the number of kids went for the apple.  

“It’s no secret that many parents have a hard time getting kids excited about eating their fruits and vegetables,” said PHA CEO Lawrence A. Soler. “Today’s commitment helps all of us promote increased fruit and vegetable consumption, and gives parents and families a powerful, positive tool to help get kids excited about eating healthier foods.”

“Sesame Workshop has long been committed to the health and well-being of children through our longstanding Healthy Habits for Life initiative—since 2004, we have been integrating messages about healthy food choices and exercise into Sesame Street, the television program, in our community outreach and on our other off-air activities,” said H. Melvin Ming, President and CEO, Sesame Workshop.  “We are proud to work with the Produce Marketing Association and Partnership for a Healthier America to continue this important work.”

“One of the key challenges we face is competing for share of mind and share of plate,” said Jan DeLyser, immediate past chairman of PMA’s board of directors. “Other food marketers – companies who have seemingly endless budgets enabling them to position and sell their products, especially to kids – are steep competition. As a parent whose kids grew up with the Sesame Street characters, I’m thrilled to be a part of a program that will give the produce industry additional marketing opportunities for our naturally healthful products. The power of the Sesame Street brand is undeniable, especially given the trust parents have in it.”