President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

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

• Robert Porter Jackson – Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, Department of State
• Michael Michaud – Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training, Department of Labor
• John E. Sparks – Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

President Obama said, “These fine public servants bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their important roles.  I look forward to working with them.” 

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

Robert Porter Jackson, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, Department of State

Robert Porter Jackson, a career member of the Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the Department of State, a position he has held since 2013.  Previously, Mr. Jackson served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon from 2010 to 2013 and as Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Rabat, Morocco from 2007 to 2010 and the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal from 2004 to 2007.  He has also served as Director of the Office for the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy, Coordinator of the Entry-Level Officer Training Program, and Country Officer for Botswana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe.  His other overseas postings include Burundi, Canada, Cote d’Ivoire, and Portugal.  Mr. Jackson received a B.A. from Bowdoin College, an M.A. from the George Washington University, and an M.S. from the National Defense University.

Michael Michaud, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training, Department of Labor

Michael Michaud served as the United States Representative for the Second Congressional District of Maine from 2003 to 2015.  He was chosen by the House Democratic Caucus to serve as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in 2012.  From 1994 to 2002, Mr. Michaud was a State Senator in the Maine State Senate, serving as President of the Maine State Senate from 2000 to 2001.  Before that, he was a Member of the Maine State House of Representatives from 1980 until 1994, where he served as the Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Speaker Pro Tempore.  Mr. Michaud worked for the Great Northern Paper Company from 1973 until 2002 and served as Vice President of United Paperworkers International Union Local 152.

John E. Sparks, Nominee for Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

John E. Sparks is the Commissioner to the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, a position he has held since 2000.  Prior to this, Mr. Sparks was Principal Deputy General Counsel of the Navy from 1999 to 2000 and Special Assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture from 1998 to 1999.  From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Sparks was a Deputy Legal Advisor for the National Security Council.  He served as Military Assistant to the General Counsel at the Department of the Navy from 1994 to 1996 and as a Military Judge at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina from 1991 to 1994.  Mr. Sparks served as military defense counsel, military prosecutor, and Chief Legal Assistance Officer from 1986 to 1991, and held various positions as an infantry officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1976 to 1986.  He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1998.  Mr. Sparks received a B.S. from the United States Naval Academy and a J.D. from the University of Connecticut.