Appointments and Resignations
Director of the Minority Business Development Agency: Who is David Hinson?
David A. Hinson was appointed National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency on July 15, 2009. He oversees the agency’s five regional branches and 48 business bureaus, which offer support services to minority businesses. In 2009, ... read more
Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service: Who is Rayne Pegg?
Rayne Pegg has served as the administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) since July 6, 2009, after she was appointed, at the age of 33, to the position by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The AMS is responsible for administering pr... read more
Ambassador to Lebanon: Who Is Maura Connelly?
President Barack Obama nominated Maura Connelly to be U.S. ambassador to the volatile Middle Eastern nation of Lebanon on June 3, 2010, and her Senate confirmation hearing was held on July 20. Connelly was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. At her c... read more
National Telecommunications and Information Administration: Who is Lawrence Strickling?
A technology policy expert with more than two decades of experience in the public and private sectors, Lawrence E. Strickling has served as Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information in the Department of Commerce since June 25, 2009, p... read more
National Marine Fisheries Service: Who is Eric Schwaab?
Eric C. Schwaab was appointed in February 2010 to run the National Marine Fisheries Service, part of the Department of Commerce. In this capacity he oversees the management and conservation of marine fisheries and the protection of marine mammals,... read more
Federal Co-Chair of the Delta Regional Authority: Who Is Chris Masingill?
After being nominated by President Barack Obama on April 22, 2010, Chris Masingill was confirmed by the Senate to be federal co-chair of the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) on June 24, 2010. DRA is an independent Federal/State partnership designed ... read more
International Trade Administration: Who is Frank Sánchez?
An early Florida supporter and major fundraiser for President Barack Obama, Francisco “Frank” J. Sánchez received a recess appointment in order to assume the post of Under Secretary for International Trade, becoming the No. 3 person in the Departm... read more
Economic Development Administration: Who is John Fernandez?
As Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, John Fernandez has led the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) since September 14, 2009. The EDA is charged with encouraging private capital investments in... read more
Commissioner of Foreign Claims Settlement Commission: Who is Rafael Martinez?
Rafael E. “Ralph” Martinez has served as a part-time commissioner on the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission since his appointment in 2008 by President George W. Bush. He was sworn in on May 28, 2008. His term expires September 30, 2010.
Mart... read more
Director of National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency: Who is Letitia Long?
Not only is Letitia A. “Tish” Long the first woman selected to head the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), but, according to the Defense Department, she is also the first woman chosen to lead any of the federal government’s “major” int... read more
Chairman of Broadcasting Board of Governors: Who is Walter Isaacson?
President Barack Obama chose former Time managing editor and CNN executive Walter Isaacson to chair the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which runs Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and other international broadcasts of the U.S. government. He ... read more
Ambassador to Azerbaijan...Not So Fast: Who is Matthew Bryza?
On May 25, 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Matthew J. Bryza to serve as U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan. Bryza is a veteran Foreign Service officer well-versed in the politics of the Caspian region, whose previous assignment put him in charge... read more
Ambassador to Slovakia: Who is Theodore Sedgwick?
A business executive from the publishing and timber industries, Theodore “Tod” Sedgwick has no experience as a foreign diplomat. But the chosen ambassador to Slovakia has donated substantially to Democratic candidates, especially to President Bara... read more
Ambassador to Nigeria: Who is Terence McCulley?
Terence P. McCulley, selected by President Barack Obama on June 28, 2010, to serve as ambassador to Nigeria, is a member of the Senior Foreign Service whose diplomatic career has been spent mostly in Africa or working on African issues. He was con... read more
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA): Who is J. Dudley Butler?
J. (John) Dudley Butler, a longtime attorney from Mississippi, took over as administrator of the
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) on May 11, 2009, following his appointment by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. D... read more
Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs: Who Is Tony Babauta?
Anthony Marion (Tony) Babauta was confirmed as the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs on September 10, 2009. He oversees federal administration of the United States possessions of Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas I... read more