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Briefing Room

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
October 02, 2015

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:

  •          Todd C. Chapman – Ambassador to the Republic of Ecuador, Department of State
  •          Steven Michael Haro – Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of Commerce
  •          John Kotek – Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Department of Energy
  •          Carolyn Lerner – Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel
  •          Matthew John Matthews  – Rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Senior Official for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, Department of State
  •          Michael J. Missal – Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs

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

  •          Pamela K. Anderson – Member, Board for International Food and Agricultural Development
  •          Gebisa Ejeta – Member, Board for International Food and Agricultural Development
  •          Ronald A. Cass – Member, Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States
  •          Jonathan Sallet – Member, Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States
  •          Jane Sherburne  –  Member, Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States
  •          Bo Thao-Urabe – Member, President’s Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

President Obama said, “I am confident that these experienced and hardworking individuals will help us tackle the important challenges facing America, and I am grateful for their service.  I look forward to working with them.”

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

Todd C. Chapman, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Ecuador, Department of State

Todd C. Chapman, a career member of the Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs, a position he has held since 2014.  Mr. Chapman previously served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil from 2011 to 2014, Senior Deputy Coordinator for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011, and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Maputo, Mozambique from 2007 to 2010.   Prior to that, he served as Executive Assistant in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs from 2006 to 2007, Political/Economic/Commercial Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia from 2004 to 2006, and Economic Officer at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica from 2001 to 2004.  His earlier assignments with the Department of State include postings in Nigeria, Mozambique, and Taiwan.  Before joining the Foreign Service, Mr. Chapman was a consultant in Brazil and Houston, Texas and a commercial banker in New York and Saudi Arabia.  Mr. Chapman received an A.B. from Duke University and an M.S. from the Joint Military Intelligence College.

Steven Michael Haro, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of Commerce

Steven Michael Haro is currently the Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Commerce, a position he has held since August 2015.  Previously, Mr. Haro was Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich from 2013 to 2015, and also served as his Chief of Staff in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2008 to 2012.  In 2008, Mr. Haro served as the Western Regional Political Director and National Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.  He has served in various roles for Representative Xavier Becerra, which include Senior Advisor and Communications Director from 2007 to 2008, Director of Legislation and Communication from 2005 to 2007, and Press Secretary from 2001 to 2004.  Mr. Haro was the Colorado Communications Director for the Kerry-Edwards Presidential campaign in 2004.  Mr. Haro received a B.A. and M.A. from Loyola University Chicago.

John Kotek, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Department of Energy

John Kotek is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy (DOEn), a position he has held since January 2015.  From 2007 to 2015, he was a Principal and Managing Partner in the Idaho Office for Gallatin Public Affairs.  Prior to this position, Mr. Kotek was the Staff Director for the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future from 2010 to 2012.  From 2007 to 2009, he was a Member of the American Nuclear Society Board of Directors.  Mr. Kotek served as Senior Consultant and Manager for Nuclear Programs at Washington Policy and Analysis, Inc. from 2006 to 2007.  From 2003 to 2006, he was the Deputy Manager in the Idaho Operations Office for DOEn.  Mr. Kotek was a manager in the Nuclear Technology Division at Argonne National Laboratory-West from 1999 to 2003.  From 1989 to 1998, he worked in the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology at DOEn in various capacities, including Associate Director for Technology, Associate Director for Management and Administration, and Chief of Staff.  Mr. Kotek received a B.S. from the University of Illinois and an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland.

Carolyn Lerner, Nominee for Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel

Carolyn Lerner is Special Counsel and has led the Office of Special Counsel since her appointment in 2011.  Prior to her appointment, she was a partner at Heller, Huron, Chertkof, Lerner, Simon & Salzman from 1997 to 2011.  Ms. Lerner was a Court Appointed Special Inspector in the District of Columbia Department of Corrections from 2005 to 2007.  She was a trial attorney at Kator, Scott, Heller & Huron from 1991 to 1996.  From 1989 to 1991, Ms. Lerner was a law clerk to Chief Judge Julian Abele Cook, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.  She has served on a number of boards, including the Center for WorkLife Law, the WAGE Project, the Washington Council of Lawyers, and the Council for Court Excellence.  Ms. Lerner was a member of the D.C. Bar’s Pro Bono Committee and the Women’s Bar Association for the District of Columbia.  She was a mediator for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and taught mediation as an adjunct faculty member at George Washington University Law School.  Ms. Lerner received a B.G.S. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.

Matthew John Matthews, Nominee for the Rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Senior Official for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, Department of State

Matthew John Matthews, a career member of the Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and concurrently as the Senior Official for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, positions he has held since June 2015.  Mr. Matthews previously served as Foreign Policy Advisor at U.S. Pacific Command from 2013 until June 2015 and as the Deputy Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong from 2010 to 2013.  He served as Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia from 2007 to 2010 and at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia from 2004 to 2007.  His earlier assignments with the Department of State include postings in Pakistan, Taiwan, and China.  Mr. Matthews received a B.A. from the University of Oregon and an M.A. from John Hopkins University. 

Michael J. Missal, Nominee for Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs

Michael J. Missal is a Partner at K&L Gates LLP, a position he has held since 1991.  Mr. Missal is a member of the K&L Gates Management Committee and also serves as Co-Leader for the K&L Gates Policy and Regulatory Practice Area.  Prior to joining K&L Gates in 1987, Mr. Missal served as Senior Counsel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in the Division of Enforcement from 1983 to 1987.  From 1982 to 1983, Mr. Missal served as a Law Clerk for Chief Judge H. Carl Moultrie I on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.  He served in the Carter Administration from 1978 to 1981, serving as a Staff Assistant for the Assistant to the President for Public Outreach Anne Wexler and then as a Law Clerk for Counsel to the President Lloyd Cutler.  Mr. Missal received a B.S. from Washington and Lee University and a J.D. from the Catholic University of America.

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

Dr. Pamela K. Anderson, Appointee for Member, Board for International Food and Agricultural Development

Dr. Pamela K. Anderson is Director of Agricultural Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a position she has held since 2014.  Prior to this, she worked at the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru as Director General from 2005 to 2013 and Director of Research from 2002 to 2005.  She worked as a Senior Scientist at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture in Cali, Colombia from 1996 to 2002.  Dr. Anderson was a Research Consultant at Harvard University from 1995 to 2002 and an Advisor to the Federation of American Scientists from 1995 to 1999.  Dr. Anderson received a B.A. from Northwestern University, an M.Sc. from the University of Illinois, and an M.Sc. and D.Sc. from Harvard University.

Dr. Gebisa Ejeta, Appointee for Member, Board for International Food and Agricultural Development

Dr. Gebisa Ejeta is a Distinguished Professor at Purdue University and serves as the Executive Director of the Purdue Center for Global Food Security.  He joined Purdue’s faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agronomy in 1984.  Dr. Ejeta previously served as Principal Plant Breeder for the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics in Sudan from 1979 to 1983.  He was first appointed to the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development in 2011.  Dr. Ejeta is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, the Crop Science Society of America, and the American Society of Agronomy.  He was the recipient of the 2009 World Food Prize. Dr. Ejeta received a B.S. from Alemaya College and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Purdue University.

Ronald A. Cass, Appointee for Member, Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States

Ronald A. Cass is President of Cass & Associates, PC, a position he has held since 2004.  Mr. Cass has also served as Chairman of the Center for the Rule of Law since 2006.  Since 2004, he has been Dean Emeritus of Boston University School of Law, where he was Dean from 1990 to 2004.  Mr. Cass also serves on the Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States, since his appointment in 2010.  He previously served as a member of the Panel of Conciliators of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes at the World Bank from 2009 to 2015 and as a member and Vice-Chairman of the US International Trade Commission from 1988 to 1990.  Mr. Cass was the Melville Madison Bigelow Professor at Boston University from 1995 to 2004.  He was Professor of Law at Boston University School of Law from 1981 to 2004 and an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law from 1976 to 1981.  Earlier in his career, he was a private practice lawyer and a law clerk for Chief Judge Collins Seitz on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Among various boards, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Roger Williams University School of Law.  He has authored or co-authored a number of publications, including The Rule of Law in America, Laws of Creation, and Administrative Law.  He received a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.

Jonathan Sallet, Appointee for Member, Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States

Jonathan Sallet is General Counsel at the Federal Communications Commission, a position he has had since 2013.  Previously, he was a partner at O’Melveny & Myers and was a partner at Jenner & Block and Miller, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin.  In 2008, he served on President Obama’s transition team for technology and economic development at the Department of Commerce.  From 1993 to 1996, he served as Assistant to the Secretary and Director of the Office of Policy & Strategic Planning at the Department of Commerce.  Mr. Sallet was a law clerk for United States Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell, Jr. from 1979 to 1980, and he was a law clerk for Judge Edward Tamm on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1978 to 1979.   Mr. Sallet received an A.B. from Brown University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Jane Sherburne, Appointee for Member, Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States

Jane Sherburne is the founder of Sherburne PLLC, and has served as its Principal since 2014.  She also has served as a member on the Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States since 2010.  Ms. Sherburne was Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel at the Bank of New York Mellon from 2010 to 2014.  From 2008 to 2009, she was General Counsel at Wachovia Corporation.  Ms. Sherburne was Deputy General Counsel at Citigroup beginning in 2001 and served as General Counsel of its Global Consumer Group from 2006 to 2008.  She was Partner at Wilmer Cutler & Pickering when she left the firm in 2001, having first joined in 1984.   From 1994 to 1997, Ms. Sherburne was Special Counsel to President Bill Clinton.  She served on the Executive Committee of the New York City Bar from 2008 to 2012 and currently chairs the New York City Bar Fund.  She was the 2013 recipient of the Top Corporate Counsel Award from the New York Stock Exchange.  She serves on the Executive Committee of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and is Chair of the Board of the National Women’s Law Center, as well as a board member of New York Lawyers for Public Interest and The Constitution Project.  Earlier in her career, Ms. Sherburne served as Chief of Staff to the Commissioner of Social Security during the Carter Administration and as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Representative Donald Fraser.  She received a B.A. and M.S.W. from the University of Minnesota and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Bo Thao-Urabe, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Bo Thao-Urabe is Senior Director of Capacity Building & Organizational Learning at Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, a position she has held since 2006.  Since 2014, Ms. Thao-Urabe has also served as Chief Operating Officer of RedGreen Rivers, LLC, a company she founded to promote the livelihood of Southeast Asian female artisans.  Ms. Thao-Urabe was a Senior Project Manager for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis from 2004 to 2006.  From 2001 to 2004, she was Executive Director of Hmong National Development, Inc. and from 1999 to 2001, Ms. Thao-Urabe served as Community Services Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.  She has also worked as the Careership Program Manager at Metropolitan State University from 1998 to 1999 and was Executive Director of the Women’s Association of Hmong & Lao from 1996 to 1998.  Ms. Thao-Urabe received a B.S. from the University of Minnesota.