President Obama announces more key administration posts

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

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

Mary B. DeRosa, Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United NationsFrank E. Loy, Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United NationsKendrick B. Meek, Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations

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

Jack Baylis, Member, National Infrastructure Advisory CouncilDavid J. Grain, Member, National Infrastructure Advisory CouncilDonald R. Knauss, Member, National Infrastructure Advisory CouncilConstance H. Lau, Member, National Infrastructure Advisory CouncilBeverly A. Scott, Member, National Infrastructure Advisory Council

President Obama said, “These fine public servants both bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their new roles.  Our nation will be well-served by these men and women, and 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:

Mary B. DeRosa, Nominee for Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations
Mary B. DeRosa served as Deputy Counsel to the President and National Security Council Legal Adviser from January 2009 until June 2011. Before joining the Administration, Ms. DeRosa was a staff member on the Obama Biden Transition Team.  Ms. DeRosa was Chief Counsel for National Security for the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2007 to 2008 and a Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies from 2002 to 2007. From 1994 to 2001, Ms. DeRosa held a number of positions in the Clinton administration, including serving as Special Counsel to the General Counsel at the Department of Defense, Deputy Legal Advisor to the National Security Council, and Special Assistant to the President and Legal Advisor. Prior to joining the government, Ms. DeRosa was in private practice at Arnold & Porter. She holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from the George Washington School of Law.

Frank E. Loy, Nominee for Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations
Frank E. Loy was the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs at the Department of State from 1998 to 2001.  From 1981 to 1995, Mr. Loy was President of The German Marshall Fund of the U.S.  Prior to that, Mr. Loy served at the Department of State as Director of the Bureau of Refugee Programs, with personal rank of Ambassador, from 1979 to 1981 and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs from 1965 to 1970.  Mr. Loy also held a number of positions in the business sector including roles as President of Penn Central Company and as Senior Vice President for International Affairs of Pan American World Airways.  Mr. Loy currently serves on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund, the Nature Conservancy, the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the Washington Ballet, Resources for the Future, and the Pew Center for Global Climate Change.  Mr. Loy holds a B.A. from UCLA and L.L.B. from Harvard.

Kendrick B. Meek, Nominee for Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations
Kendrick B. Meek is the President of KBM Solutions LLC, a consulting firm focusing on disaster recovery, humanitarian assistance, emergency medical relief, and Chairman of the Editorial Board of Politic365, an online news source for policy and politics affecting communities of color.  From 2002 to 2010, Mr. Meek represented the 17th Congressional District of Florida.   During his time in Congress, Mr. Meek served on the House Armed Services and Ways and Means Committees.  He also served as co-chairman of the 30-Something Working Group, and was appointed to the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.  Mr. Meek began his career as a Trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol.  He later became a Captain and was assigned to the security detail traveling with Democratic Lt. Gov. Buddy MacKay.  Mr. Meek served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1995 to 1998 and in the Florida Senate from 1999 to 2002.   Mr. Meek graduated from Florida A&M University in 1989 with a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

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

Jack Baylis, Appointee for Member, National Infrastructure Advisory Council
Jack Baylis is the Executive Vice President of Global Water for AECOM Technology Corporation, a global provider of professional, technical and management support services for a range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water, and government.  Previously, he was the U.S. Group Executive for Strategic Development at AECOM.  Prior to joining AECOM, Mr. Baylis was Senior Vice President at CH2M Hill, a global provider for full-service engineering, construction, and operations.  He also served as  Vice President at Brown and Caldwell and as President and Chief Operating Officer of the manufacturing firm Linabond.  Mr. Baylis holds a B.S. from the University of California at Davis.

David J. Grain, Appointee for Member, National Infrastructure Advisory Council
David J. Grain is the Founder and Managing Partner of Grain Management, LLC, a private equity firm that invests in the telecommunications sector, primarily focused on Federal and state government wireless systems.  Grain Management’s investments include towers, spectrum, and backhaul.  Prior to founding Grain Management, Mr. Grain served as President of Global Signal Inc. from 2002 to 2005.  Before joining Global Signal, Mr. Grain was Senior Vice President of AT&T Broadband's New England Region and was an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley.   He is the Vice Chair of the Investment Advisory Council for the Florida State Board of Administration.  Mr. Grain holds a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and an M.B.A. from The Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College.

Donald R. Knauss, Appointee for Member, National Infrastructure Advisory Council
Donald R. Knauss is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Clorox Company.  Prior to joining Clorox, Mr. Knauss worked for The Coca-Cola Company from 1994 to 2006.  His executive leadership there included President and Chief Executive Officer of The Minute Maid Company from 2000 to 2003 and President and Chief Operating Officer of Coca-Cola North America from 2004 to 2006. Mr. Knauss previously held a variety of positions in marketing and sales with the Frito-Lay and Tropicana divisions of PepsiCo, Inc.  He began his business career as a brand manager in the paper products division at Procter & Gamble. Prior to that, he served as an officer of the United States Marine Corps.  Mr. Knauss holds a B.A. from Indiana University.

Constance H. Lau, Appointee for Member, National Infrastructure Advisory Council
Constance H. Lau currently serves as Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer for Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (HEI).  She is also Chairman of the Board for Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., an HEI subsidiary.  Since joining HEI in 1984, Ms. Lau has served in various leadership capacities including Assistant Corporate Counsel for the Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer of HEI, and Financial Vice President and Treasurer of HEI Power Corp., a former HEI subsidiary.  In addition to her current role at HEI, Ms. Lau has also been serving as the President and Chief Executive of American Savings Bank since 2001.  She previously served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of American Savings Bank from 1999 to 2001.  Ms. Lau began her career as a corporate attorney in San Francisco and has been involved in finance, law, real estate development, investments, and international business.  She holds a B.S. from Yale University, a J.D. from the University of California’s Hastings College of Law, and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.

 Beverly A. Scott, Appointee for Member, National Infrastructure Advisory Council 
 Beverly A. Scott is the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.  She was appointed to this position in 2007, becoming the first female Chief Executive Officer of MARTA.  Prior to her current position, she served as General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the Sacramento Regional Transit District.  Prior to that, she served as the General Manager of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, one of four statewide public transit systems in the United States.  Ms. Scott has also held senior-level positions with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New Jersey Transit Corporation, the Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit.  Ms. Scott began her career with the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority. Ms. Scott holds a B.A. from Fisk University and a Ph.D. from Howard University.

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Obama launches administration strong cities, strong communities for local development support

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For Immediate Release July 11, 2011 Obama Administration Launches Strong Cities, Strong Communities to Support Local Development

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Obama Administration launched Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2), a new and customized pilot initiative to strengthen local capacity and spark economic growth in local communities while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently. To accomplish this, federal agencies will provide experienced staff to work directly with six cities: Chester, PA; Cleveland, OH; Detroit, MI; Fresno, CA; Memphis, TN; and New Orleans, LA.  These teams will work with local governments, the private sector, and other institutions to leverage federal dollars and support the work being done at the local level to encourage economic growth and community development.  

Additionally, communities nationwide will be eligible to compete for comprehensive economic planning assistance through a grant competition designed to spark local innovation. By integrating government investments and partnering with local communities, SC2 channels the resources of the federal government to help empower cities as they develop and implement their vision for economic growth.  

“Over the past two and a half years, the Obama Administration received feedback from leaders all across the country who described the kind of partnership that would be most useful to them for economic growth,” said Domestic Policy Director Melody Barnes.  “The result is Strong Cities, Strong Communities, an innovative new pilot that will help strengthen local communities while also delivering federal resources and assistance more effectively.”   

Added Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett, “This is exactly the kind of federal initiative that President Obama pledged to create – one that respects the wisdom of local leadership and helps mayors and other local officials utilize federal resources more effectively.  President Obama has consistently demonstrated his commitment to a robust partnership with America’s cities and counties– Strong Cities, Strong Communities is yet another example of this important partnership.”

Through this pilot, the Obama Administration will focus on three key goals:

Improving the way federal government does business:  Cutting through red tape and rationalizing the federal bureaucracy to help deal with the overlapping maze of agencies, regulations and program requirements that are sometimes confusing to local governments;Providing assistance and support – working with local communities to find ground up, not top down solutions:  Providing on the ground technical assistance and planning resources tailored to local governments’ needs and helping them use the federal funds they already receive more efficiently and effectively; andPartnering for growth: Developing critical partnerships with key local and regional stakeholders that encompass not only municipal and state governments, but also new partnerships with the business community, non-profits, anchor institutions, faith-based institutions, and other public, private, and philanthropic leaders.  

In addition to building the capacity of local governments, SC2 aims to encourage partnerships among local community organizations, anchor institutions, businesses, foundations and government agencies, helping to leverage federal investments and increase impact. The four components of SC2 include:

SC2 Community Solutions Teams: Community Solutions Teams comprised of federal employees from several different agencies will work directly with cities to support mayors in Chester, PA; Cleveland, OH; Detroit, MI; Fresno, CA; Memphis, TN; and New Orleans, LA. Community Solutions Teams will assist cities with issues mayors have identified as vital to their economic strategies, including efforts to build on local assets, strengthen regional economies, develop transportation infrastructure, improve job-training programs and support community revitalization.  SC2 Fellowship Program: A complement to the Community Solutions Teams, a new fellowship program will select, train, and place early- to mid-career professionals to serve multi-year terms in local government positions to give cities additional capacity.  An intermediary will be selected to run the fellowship program, and Fellows will be selected through a competitive national process. The Program will be funded primarily by philanthropic partners; the Rockefeller Foundation is providing $2.5 million in initial funding.SC2 Economic Planning Challenge: In addition to the six pilot locations, SC2 includes an Economic Planning Challenge designed to help additional cities develop economic blueprints.   This national grant competition will enable cities to adopt and implement innovative economic development strategies to support comprehensive city and regional planning efforts. Six cities will be competitively selected to receive a grant of approximately $1 million that they will use to administer an “X-prize style” competition, whereby they will challenge multi-disciplinary teams of experts to develop comprehensive economic and land use proposals for their city.  The Challenge will be administered by EDA, and EDA will assist cities in the administration of the competition.   National Resource Network: Pending authorization of funding, the National Resource Network (NRN) will aggregate public and private resources to provide a broader set of cities, towns and regions with access to a one-stop portal of national experts to provide holistic policy and implementation support.   Once funds are secured, HUD will host a competition to select an intermediary to run the NRN.  Cities, towns and regions will apply to get access to the NRN, and outside experts will apply to be able to provide consulting services through the NRN.  A menu of customized and comprehensive technical assistance in a variety of policy areas will be available to communities, delivered through on-site training and staff development.  The NRN will also foster peer-to-peer learning to strengthen the network of urban practitioners and thinkers.  

SC2 pilot cities were selected on the basis of economic need, strong local leadership and collaboration, potential for economic growth, geographic diversity, and the ability to test the SC2 model across a range of environments.  Federal assessment teams spent time on the ground working directly with mayors and other local officials to determine needs, opportunities and gather input for the pilot initiative.

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President Obama announces more key administration posts

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

WASHINGTON has now President Barack Obama his intention to appoint the following persons to the Central Administration posts:

Michael A. Hammer, Assistant Secretary for public affairs, the Department of StateCharles Mcconnell, Assistant Secretary for fossil energy, Department of energy

The President announced also its intention to appoint the following persons to the Central Administration posts:

Terry Guen, Member, Advisory Council on historic preservationDorothy t. Lippert, Member of the Advisory Council on historic preservationRosemary A. Joyce, Member of the cultural property of Advisory Committee

President Obama said: "Our nation strong is served by the talent and the experience to bring these people in their new roles." "I am grateful that they have agreed in this administration are used, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years."

President Obama announced his intention of the following people for centrally managing, posts to call:

Michael A. Hammer, nominee for Assistant Secretary for public affairs, the Department of State
Currently is Michael A. Hammer, a career member of the senior foreign service, acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for public affairs at the U.S. Department of State.  In this assignment Mr. Hammer as Special Assistant to the President, Senior Director for press and communication and National Security Council spokesman January 2009 to January 2011. previous assignments in the National Security Council spokesman and Director of the Andes include Affairs Deputy.  Since 1988 the foreign service, Mr. Hammer served abroad in Bolivia, Norway, Iceland and Denmark.  In Washington, D.C., Mr. hammer has also in the operations center and as a Special Assistant Under Secretary for political affairs was.  Mr. Hammer holds a b.a. from Georgetown University School of foreign service and master's degrees from the Fletcher School of law and diplomacy of at Tufts University and the National War College at the National Defense University.

Charles McConnell, nominee for Assistant Secretary for fossil energy, Department of energy
Charles McConnell is the Chief Operating Officer for fossil energy at the U.S. Department of energy (DOE). Before he was Mr. McConnell as Vice President of carbon DOE in 2011, management of the Battelle energy technology from 2009-2011, responsible for Economics and technology management. He previously spent 31 years with Praxair, Inc., in various positions in the United States and Asia, including as global Vice President. Mr. McConnell technologies gasification and clean coal technology foundation of Texas has held a series of advisory positions, including the presidencies of the Council. He served on the Advisory Boards of the FutureGen in Texas, the Gulf Coast carbon Center and T & P synthesis gas company, the Pittsburgh coal Conference coal use Research Council. Mr. McConnell holds a BS in chemical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA in finance from Cleveland State University.

President Obama announced his intention of the following people for centrally managing, posts to call:

Terry Guen, Member of the Advisory Council on historic preservation officer
Terry Guen, FASLA, is President and owner of Terry Guen Design Associates, Inc., a Chicago consulting firm specialized in the master planning and design of the contextual and sustainable public spaces and landscapes.  Mrs Guen was lead landscape architects and urban planners for the West side waterfront - Hudson River Park plan in New York, the Charles River basin plan for the Department of conservation and recreation in Boston, and is the master landscape architect of Millennium Park, Chicago.  In 2009, Ms. Guen was honoured as a fellow of the American Society of landscape of architects.  Graduate of Bowdoin College and the University of Pennsylvania, is on the Faculty of design at the Illinois Institute of technology (with), program for landscape architecture.

Dorothy t. Lippert, Member of the Advisory Council on historic preservation officer
Dorothy Lippert is currently a case officer in the repatriation Office of the National Museum of natural history of the Smithsonian Institution. In her current position, Mrs Lippert responds to return requests from native American tribes for human remains and sacred material.  After graduate school, Mrs Lippert worked McGovern Hall of the Americas as a coordinator for the John p. at the Houston Museum of natural science education.  She is currently Executive of the World Archaeological Congress in the and is a member of the Board of Directors for the society for American archaeology past.  Her research interests include the development of indigenous archaeology, repatriation, ethics, and the archaeology and Bioarchaeology of the southeastern United States.  Mrs Lippert b.a. their. from Rice University and their m.a. and PhD. from the University of Texas at Austin.

Rosemary A. Joyce, representative members, cultural property Advisory Committee
Rosemary, Joyce is Professor of anthropology and former Chairman of the Anthropology Department at the University of California, Berkeley. It is one of the world's leading experts on Honduran archaeology and once served as an Assistant Director of the Peabody Museum at Harvard University and Director of the Hearst Museum in Berkeley. It served as an officer of the Department of archaeology of the American Anthropological Association, in the committees of the society for American archaeology and Archaeological Institute of America, and is a member of the society for historical archaeology. Her research includes comparative study of the collections of Honduras in the sixteenth century from archaeological materials in museums in Europe, the United States, and Central America and historical research on the origins of the museums in systematic recording of objects.  Professor Joyce delivered her a.b. from Cornell University and her PhD. in Anthropology from the University of Illinois in Urbana.

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President Obama announces more key administration posts

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President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts | The White House Skip to main content | Skip to footer site map The White House. President Barack Obama Get Email UpdatesContact Us Go to homepage. The White House Blog Photos & Videos Photo Galleries Video Live Streams Podcasts Featured Video

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For Immediate Release July 05, 2011 President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

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

Matan Koch, Member, National Council on DisabilityStephanie Orlando, Member, National Council on Disability

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

Denis J. Cruz, Member, President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics  Dr. Millie García, Member, President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for HispanicsMonica R. Martinez, Member, President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for HispanicsVeronica E. Melvin, Member, President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for HispanicsBrenda S. “Sue” Fulton, Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Military AcademyTom Healy, Member, J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship BoardWarren Glenn Hioki, Member, Board of Trustees of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship FoundationMarc Lefar, Member, President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee

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:

Matan Koch, Nominee for Member, National Council on Disability
Matan Koch is an Associate at Kramer, Levin, Naftalis, & Frankel LLP, where he focuses on Commercial Litigation and Advertising matters. He was born with Cerebral Palsy and has been actively involved in the disability community for many years. From 2001 until 2002, Mr. Koch served as the Vice Chairman of the New Haven Commission on Disabilities where he also chaired the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  Subcommittee. In addition, he has served as a member of the Union for Reform Judaism-Department of Jewish Family Concerns' Disability Task Force and currently serves on  the union's Special Needs Camping Committee. While working in the Legal Division of Procter & Gamble, Mr. Koch was a member of the company's People with Disabilities Network. Mr. Koch also served on the board of Jewish Vocational Services of Cincinnati. He has a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. cum laude from Yale University where he served as the President of the student disability community.

Stephanie Orlando, Nominee for Member, National Council on Disability
Stephanie Orlando is the Director of YOUTH POWER! of Families Together in New York State, a statewide advocacy network comprised of young people who have disabilities and experience in state child-serving systems.  After receiving children’s mental health, special education and residential services herself, Ms. Orlando has become a strong advocate for youth with disabilities on county, state and national levels.  Beginning in 2006, she served a term as Chairperson of the Youth Advisory Committee to the National Council on Disability. Ms. Orlando serves on the New York State Commissioners’ Committee on Cross-Systems Services for Children & Youth, the New York State Commissioner’s Advisory Panel for Special Education Services, the New York Mental Health Services Planning Council, and the Board of Directors of the Children’s Mental Health Coalition of Western New York.  She received the Diana Vietz Award in 2008 from the National Council on Independent Living, the mpower Award in 2006 from Mental Health America (formerly National Mental Health Association) and the 2004 Erie County Executive Award for Disability Employment Awareness Month. Ms. Orlando earned her Bachelor of Arts in 2005 from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

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

Denis J. Cruz, Appointee for Member, President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics  
Denis J. Cruz is the principal of Laurel Elementary School, in the East Whittier School District in California.  Previously, Mr. Cruz held a number of posts in the East Whittier School District, including Curriculum Director, Middle School Program Specialist and Language Arts Coach; but he spent the majority of his career as a fifth and sixth grade teacher.   As Director of Curriculum, Mr. Cruz assisted teachers in the curriculum alignment process that identified the specific academic needs of English Language Learners and at-risk students;   he also facilitated the writing of lessons for all grade levels on topics including integrity, courage, bully prevention, perseverance, and assertive behaviors.  Mr. Cruz was named California’s Teacher of the Year in 2006.  Mr. Cruz holds a Master of Arts in Education from Champan University and a B.A. from California State University, Long Beach.

Dr. Millie García, Appointee for Member, President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
Dr. Millie García is the seventh president of California State University, Dominguez Hills, and the first Latina president in the California State University system.  Previously, Dr. García served as President of Berkeley College in New York and New Jersey.  Her research concentrates on equity in higher education and its impact on policy and practice.   She has authored numerous books, articles, book reviews and commissioned reports, concentrating her research on equity in higher education and its impact on policy and practice.  Dr. García serves on several boards, including the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education and the Advisory Board for Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education.  Additionally, Dr. García is a founding member of National Council for Community and Education Partnerships.  Dr. García holds a Doctor of Education and M.A. from Columbia University, an M.A. from New York University, a B.S. from Bernard Baruch College, and an A.A.S. from New York City Community College.

Monica R. Martinez, Appointee for Member, President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
Monica R. Martinez is currently an independent educational strategist for foundations and non-profits.  She is a leading national expert in secondary and post secondary education with experience directing and researching major education innovation and reform initiatives.  Most recently, Ms. Martinez was the CEO of New Tech Network where she directed the organization’s strategic direction and growth strategy.  Previously, she was the Vice President of Education Strategy for KnowledgeWork, and a Senior Associate at the Institute for Educational Leadership.  Ms. Martinez holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University, and she received her B.A. from Baylor University.  

Veronica E. Melvin, Appointee for Member, President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
Veronica E. Melvin is the Chief Operating Officer for Communities for Teaching Excellence, which partners with communities across the U.S. to advocate for effective teaching for all students.  Previously, Ms. Melvin served as the Executive Director of the Alliance for a Better Community (ABC), an organization that promotes equity for Latinos in the areas of education, health, economic development and civic participation.  As its first Executive Director, Veronica led the organization through various community based advocacy campaigns that included promoting college preparatory curriculum for all Los Angeles Unified high school students, seeking greater access to quality preschool for L.A.’s children, and banning junk food and sodas in schools.  ABC achieved its goals by organizing local communities in policy advocacy and by facilitating the development of model programs that demonstrate innovation and excellence.  Ms. Melvin holds a B.A. from UC Berkeley and a M.P.P. from UCLA’s School of Public Affairs.

Brenda S. “Sue” Fulton, Appointee for Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy
Brenda S. “Sue” Fulton is the Executive Director and co-founder of Knights Out, an organization of LGBT West Point graduates and allies.  She is also a Founding Board member of OutServe, and serves as Communications Director for the Forum for the Military Chaplaincy and the Service Academy Gay and Lesbian Association.  Ms. Fulton worked until recently at Schering-Plough/Merck.  Prior to this, she did volunteer work in the U.S., India, and Israel from 1988 to 1989 after working for Procter & Gamble from 1986 to 1988.  In 1980, Ms. Fulton was commissioned in the Army Signal Corps and served for five years in Germany.  She commanded a Military Intelligence company and was honorably discharged from the Army at the rank of Captain.  Ms. Fulton is a 1980 West Point graduate, part of the first class to admit women.

Tom Healy, Appointee for Member, J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board
Tom Healy is a poet and writer.  His book, What the Right Hand Knows, was a finalist for the 2009 L.A. Times Book Prize and the Lambda Literary Award.  Mr. Healy teaches at New York University and was recently a fellow at the Goree Institute in Dakar, Senegal.  He served as President of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and received the 2006 New York City Arts Award from Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his work to rebuild the downtown art community after 9/11.  Mr. Healy opened one of the first contemporary art galleries in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.  Under President Clinton, Mr. Healy served on the White House Council on HIV/AIDS and has remained engaged in AIDS and microfinance projects across the world.  He received an A.B. from Harvard University and an M.F.A. from Columbia University.

Warren Glenn Hioki, Appointee for Member, Board of Trustees of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation
Dr. Warren Glenn Hioki is the Executive Director of Technical Programs and High School Partnerships for the College of Southern Nevada (CSN).  Prior to starting his career with CSN in 1995, Dr. Hioki worked as a senior design engineer and project engineer for Electromagnetic Systems Laboratories (ESL) in Silicon Valley. He also taught full-time for 14 years at San Jose City College.  Dr. Hioki has served in various capacities for CSN, including teaching faculty, Director of Engineering Technology, Associate Dean, Interim Chief Campus Administrator, and Principal Investigator for CSN’s National Science Foundation grant.  He is the author of Telecommunications, a Prentice-Hall publication and leading seller in the college area for over a decade.  Dr. Hioki holds a B.S. in Engineering Technology from California Polytechnic State University, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from San Jose State University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Marc Lefar, Appointee for Member, President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee
Marc Lefar is the CEO of Vonage Holdings Corp.  Prior to joining Vonage, Mr. Lefar was Chief Marketing Officer of Cingular Wireless, now AT&T Mobility.  Prior to joining Cingular, Mr. Lefar served as Executive Vice President, Marketing and Value-Added Services for Cable and Wireless Global.  He also held senior leadership roles at Verizon Wireless and GTE Wireless.  Mr. Lefar’s career began at Procter and Gamble.  He holds a B.S. from the University of Virginia.

Blog posts on this issue July 08, 2011 12:15 PM EDTWatch Live: Sustainable Growth Summit

Join the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in a discussion on federal efforts to promote sustainable communities, encourage innovation, and support economic growth.

July 08, 2011 10:50 AM EDTHUD Takes the Test and Takes Control on June 27 for National HIV Testing Day

As a strong supporter of HIV/AIDS awarness in the community, the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at HUD participated in this year's "Take the Test, Take Control" campaign.

July 08, 2011 9:45 AM EDTThe Employment Situation in June

Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, discusses the jobs numbers through June.

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Source: whitehouse.gov

President Obama announces more key administration posts

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

WASHINGTON has now President Barack Obama his intention to appoint the following persons to the Central Administration posts:

Thomas j. Curry, Comptroller of the currency, Department of the TreasuryMary John Miller, under Secretary for domestic finance, Department of the Treasury,Wendy R. Sherman, under Secretary General for political affairs, the Department of State

The President announced also its intention to appoint the following persons to the Central Administration posts:

Rafael Anchía, Member of the Advisory Committee for trade policy and negotiationsCarmen Lucca Nazario, representative of the United States, Board of Directors of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

President Obama said: "I am proud to nominate these impressive men and women on 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."

President Obama announced his intention of the following people for centrally managing, posts to call:

Thomas j. Curry, nominee for Comptroller of the currency, Department of the Treasury
Thomas j. Curry served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation since 2004. Mr Curry serves as Chairman of the FDIC assessment Appeals Committee and case Review Committee. Mr Curry also serves as Chairman of NeighborWorks of America Board of Directors. Before he was the FDIC, Mr. Curry five Massachusetts Governors as the Commonwealth Commissioner banks from 1990 to 1991 and from 1995 to 2003. He was 1995. previously as acting Commissioner from February 1994 until June he served as first Deputy Commissioner and Assistant General Counsel in Massachusetts Division of banks. In 1982 he was lawyer with the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office of State Government. Mr. Curry was the Chairman of the Conference of State Bank supervisor from 2000 to 2001 and was two conditions on the State Exam Liaison Committee of financial institutions the Federal Council, including a term as Chairman of the Committee. He received his b.a. from Manhattan College and a J.D. from the New England School of law.

Mary John Miller, nominee for under Secretary for domestic finance, Department of the Treasury
Mary John Miller served as a Department of the Treasury's Assistant Secretary for financial markets since February 2010.  Assistant Secretary Miller is responsible for Treasury management of the public debt and advises the Secretary on broad issues of national finance, financial markets, federal, provincial and local finance and federal government lending policies.  Before it, has Mrs Miller to the Department of the Treasury 26 years worked for t. Rowe Price Group, Inc., most recently as head of fixed income and was a member of the Management Committee of the company. T. Rowe Price Group, Ms. Miller was Inc., is a research fellow for Urban Institute in Washington, D.C.  Mrs Miller owes its name to chartered financial analyst, holds a b.a. from Cornell University and a M.C.R.P. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Wendy R. Sherman, under Secretary General for political affairs, the Department of State
Wendy R. Sherman is the Vice Chair of Albright Stonebridge group, a global strategy firmly, and is also a member of the Investment Committee of Albright capital management.  Before he a founder member of the Albright Group in the year 2001, she was while he as President Clinton policy coordinator on North Korea from 1997 to 2001 as a consultant of the Foreign Ministry.  Before was their confirmation as Ambassador Sherman President and CEO of Fannie Mae Foundation.  From 1993 to 1996, she was Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs under Secretary of State Warren Christopher.  2008 Was appointed leader of the Congress, the Commission for the prevention of weapons of mass destruction, proliferation and terrorism serve.  Ambassador Sherman is on the United States Defense Policy Board since 2009, and is a member of the Council on foreign relations and the Aspen strategy group.  She attended Smith College and received a b.a. from Boston University and a master's degree from the University of Maryland.

President Obama announced his intention of the following people for centrally managing, posts to call:

Rafael Anchía, Member of the Advisory Committee on trade policy and negotiations
Rafael Anchía is representative for House district 103 in the Texas House of representatives, which includes the western portion of Dallas County. He is also a partner with the international law firm Haynes and Boone, LLP.  Sunset serves as Vice-President of pensions, investments and financial services Committee and the Advisory Committee representative Anchía. He began his career in public service as an elected member of the Dallas independent School District Board of Trustees, the nation the largest school district.  Anchía is the immediate past of Chairman of the National Association of Latino elected and appointed officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, and serves the Board of Directors of the Spain-Texas Chamber of Commerce.  He was with the last of the Ohtli award, the highest honor that gives life to the Government of Mexico to individuals outside of Mexico who have contributed to the empowerment of Mexican or the Mexican-American communities in the United States.  He served as an associate professor in the NAFTA and trade at the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Texas Tech University law school and the University of Texas at Dallas.  Representatives of Anchia received his b.a. Methodist University and his J.D. from Tulane University School of law from southern.

Carmen Lucca Nazario, United States representative, Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Carmen Lucca Nazario is an Assistant Professor in the school of social work at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico.  Previously, she was at the U.S. Department of health and human services, first as a Senior Advisor to the Secretary and later as Assistant Secretary for children and families.  Mrs Nazario previous government service includes also the administrator of the Puerto Rico Administration for children and families from 2003 to 2008, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for children and families in the U.S. Department of health and human services, and the Secretary for health and social services for the U.S. State of Delaware from 1993 to 1997.  Mrs Nazario is a member of the American public human services associations and Puerto Rico College of social workers.  She has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Puerto Rico and a M.S.W at Virginia Commonwealth University.

President Obama addresses the need to reduce the nation's deficit and the creation of jobs in the country and wants Americans a happy fourth of July.

The Council on Veterans Employment met to the so far to review results and continue the discussion to the veteran to increase employment in the public and private sectors.

An atmosphere of "shared services" and a WWII sense of 'all give some' through the support of Americans for service to military families and veterans to create is to join forces inspired by the first lady campaign for military families, the cards to honor.

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Source: whitehouse.gov

Obama Announces Administration 14 initial partners in the better building challenge

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

Private sector partners, local governments commit more than $500 million and 300 million square feet to improving energy efficiency

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced today at the Clinton Global Initiative America meeting in Chicago the 14 initial partners committing to the Better Buildings Challenge.  The Better Buildings Challenge is part of the Better Buildings Initiative that President Obama launched in February to catalyze private sector investment in commercial building upgrades and make America’s commercial buildings 20 percent more efficient over the next decade.  The Better Buildings Initiative is co-led by the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness and former President Clinton.  Earlier this month, the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness recommended to President Obama prioritizing the Better Buildings Initiative as an important way to support job creation.  The initial partners in the Better Buildings Challenge include private sector companies, financial institutions and local governments.  

“Improving building energy efficiency on a large scale is a challenge we can’t afford not to take,” said Secretary Chu. “It will create jobs, reduce energy waste, save our businesses and institutions money, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

“The Better Buildings Challenge harnesses the creativity and ingenuity of leaders across the public and private sectors to ensure America leads the world in tapping the potential of saving energy to create jobs” said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. “Upgrading the energy performance of the built environment will cut waste, lower pollution and spur market growth."

“The Better Buildings Challenge will make American businesses more competitive in the global economy by saving them billions in energy costs – savings they can spend on growing, expanding and hiring new workers,” said Laura Tyson, member of the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness and professor of Global Management at UC Berkeley.  “It will help put construction workers and contractors back to work and it will increase the production of energy-efficient products at U.S. manufacturing facilities.  The first round of partners committing to the Better Buildings Challenge today are taking an important step to support job creation across the country.”
As part of the President’s vision for winning the future by investing in innovative clean energy technologies, the initial partners announced today will work with the Department of Energy in the coming months to further develop the details of the challenge in advance of another round of partnership announcements in the fall.  Commitments announced to date include a pledge by Lend Lease to retrofit 40,000 homes for military families and by Transwestern to upgrade energy efficiency in 78 million square feet of commercial real estate.

Companies and communities announcing commitments today -- including Lend Lease, USAA Real Estate Company and the cities of Los Angeles, Seattle and Atlanta to name a few -- will provide data on their energy savings and share their efficiency strategies, which will serve as models to save money by saving energy.  Additionally, a number of financial organizations, including Citi, have agreed to support the challenge by helping to provide financing for energy efficiency projects.  

The Better Buildings Challenge aims to support President Obama’s goal of helping businesses save nearly $40 billion annually in energy costs, enabling them to grow, invest in new technology, and create American jobs.  Investing in innovative clean energy technologies that make America’s commercial buildings more efficient will put Americans to work and save money by saving energy.

The Better Buildings Challenge partners announced today are:

Better Buildings Challenge Portfolio Partners: More than 260 million square feet of enrolled buildings and facilities

Best Buy: More than 55 million square feet of retail space
Best Buy, which leases or owns more than 55 million square feet of retail space in the U.S., has continuously sought to build greater efficiency across its stores and operations. In 2009, the company achieved its first greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal of 8% per square foot, and announced a new goal of 20% reduction by 2020 over its 2009 baseline. Additionally, Best Buy is sharply focused on the specific role that its Blue Shirts and Geek Squad Agents can play to help consumers understand how to own, use, and maintain energy efficient technologies.

Green Sports Alliance: 25 sports teams in 17 cities representing more than 20 million square feet of sports arenas
The Green Sports Alliance is currently comprised of 25 member sports teams representing over 20 million square feet of sports venues and facilities in 17 North American cities. As partners of the Better Buildings Challenge, the Alliance will strive to reduce the energy use of member facilities by at least 20% by 2020 in aggregate. The Green Sports Alliance members will identify and undertake energy conservation projects and will promote the Better Buildings Challenge to all new members and partners.

Green Sports Alliance members are already demonstrating that this goal is attainable.  The Seattle Mariners and Portland Trail Blazers have implemented conservation strategies and facility improvements that have already resulted in energy savings of 30%.  Supporting the Better Buildings Challenge will help encourage professional sports teams and their venues to implement conservation projects that will result in significant financial and environmental performance.

Lend Lease:  40,000 high performance, efficiency homes for military families
Lend Lease is one of the world's leading fully integrated property solutions providers.  Lend Lease is committed to partnering with like-minded organizations and governments to deliver the next generation of sustainable communities and property and infrastructure solutions. A global leader in sustainability, Lend Lease is committing to a 20% energy-reduction goal by 2020 within the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI) portfolio.  The portfolio represents approximately 40,000 homes including 19,000 new, 20,000 legacy, 800 historic units, 19 offices and 19 community centers, which will improve more than 65.3 million square feet, helping American military families bring energy security home.

Transwestern: Reducing energy consumption in 78 million square feet of managed properties
Transwestern is advancing its commitment to promoting and incorporating sustainability in its work by becoming a partner of the Better Buildings Challenge.  Transwestern is committing 442 office buildings, totaling 78 million square feet of its managed portfolio to the Challenge and will be executing its goal to reduce energy consumption across this portfolio by more than 20 percent by 2020.  In particular, Transwestern will be working with building owners to identify and implement innovative, deep energy retrofits to lower operating costs and improve the bottom line while preserving the environment for future generations.

Transwestern is a national, privately-held operating company specializing in commercial real estate services, investment and development.  The firm has product specialties in office, industrial, retail, multifamily and healthcare and is an industry leader in sustainability solutions and in market research through its affiliate, Delta Associates.   Transwestern has received multiple ENERGY STAR® awards from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  To date, the firm has LEED® certified more than 38 properties across the U.S., totaling 14 million square feet, and is leading certification projects in such countries as China, Saudi Arabia and Brazil.

USAA Real Estate Company: Approximately 50 million square feet
As long standing leaders in energy efficiency and sustainability, USAA Real Estate Company is becoming a partner of the Better Buildings Challenge in order to support improved energy performance in buildings and further demonstrate the business case.  USAA is committing its portfolio of almost 50 million square feet consisting of 60 industrial buildings, 39 office buildings, 9 multifamily/mixed use projects, and 7 hotels (115 buildings total) to the challenge.  For the assets owned each year, in alignment with its goal of reducing energy use by 5% per year, USAA will be identifying and undertaking a number of energy reducing projects and will continue to implement performance enhancing operations within its portfolio, and will work with the Better Buildings Challenge to demonstrate the results and successes of these projects.

Better Buildings Challenge Financial Allies: More than $575 million in commitments for financing energy efficiency projects over the next 18 months

  Abundant Power: $50+ million in financing over the next 18 months 
  Abundant Power is a financial services firm specializing in designing, administering, underwriting, and structuring clean energy financing programs/products.  Abundant Power is committed to offering and accelerating the development of creative financial products that scale, including commercial PACE, on-bill structures, service contract products, and leveraged debt/bond facilities.  Abundant Power expects to originate and finance of more than $50 million of commercial building energy efficiency projects over the next 18 months. Abundant Power will achieve this by partnering with states and municipalities, utilities, and industry partners to introduce and scale its services; aggressively marketing and sourcing projects; raising debt and equity funds to provide structured financial products; and evaluating & underwriting projects/programs identified by Better Buildings Challenge partners.

Citi: $250+ million in financing over the next 18 months
Citi is committed to continue its development and offering of scalable financial solutions for aggregations of commercial and other property type energy efficiency projects. Existing structures and structures under development target public and private sector clients, employ a number of financing mechanisms, partners and clients, and range in size from a minimum of $50 million for each transaction. An estimate of the total dollar amount of financing activity Citi will pursue over the next 18 months is at least $250 million.

Green Campus Partners LLC: $100+ million in financing over the next 18 months
Green Campus Partners LLC,  a portfolio company of Hudson Clean Energy Partners - a leading global clean energy private equity firm - is committing to co-develop, structure, arrange capital, and invest equity into market based, creditworthy commercial, industrial, hospital, and university energy conservation projects and Energy Savings Agreements as well as renewable and distributed generation projects. These efforts could result in more than $100 million of energy conservation projects over the next 18 months.  Green Campus Partners will achieve this by working closely with the Administration, stakeholders, and partners, making principal investments in energy efficiency projects utilizing the company’s service agreement transaction structure co-developing compelling projects with Green Campus Partners’ ESCO and contracting partners, and leveraging Green Campus Partners’ managements expertise in energy efficiency structuring and development, their deep capital markets relationships and their commitment to providing energy efficiency development and financing solutions.

Metrus Energy: $50+ million in financing over the next 18 months
Metrus Energy, a pioneer in innovative financing models for industrial and commercial building energy efficiency, will commit to partnering with industry and investors to accelerate the usage of its Energy Services Agreement financing structure. Metrus Energy plans to finance $50+ million of efficiency projects over the next 18 months. This will be achieved by financing qualified projects identified by Better Buildings Challenge partners, and showcasing projects under the Better Buildings Challenge to help stimulate greater demand.  Metrus Energy has also committed to working with the Department Of Energy to evaluate project opportunities that have been previously identified through the DOE’s Industrial Assessment Centers.

Renewable Funding: $50+ million in financing over the next 18 months
Renewable Funding is a financial services, technology, and program management firm specializing in innovative approaches to financing clean energy and energy efficiency projects. Renewable Funding is committed to accelerating the development of commercial financing options, with a particular emphasis on the design, structuring and implementation of commercial PACE financing programs.  In collaboration with their partners, they anticipate commercial PACE financing will result in over $50 million in commercial building energy efficiency projects over the 18 months. Renewable Funding will achieve this by partnering with local and state governments, industry stakeholders, and investors to deliver commercial PACE financing; ensuring commercial PACE is designed to attract a wide range of financing options,  including access to the capital markets; and actively engaging with Better Buildings Challenge Partners to identify and approve projects on behalf of the communities they serve.

Transcend Equity: $75+ million in financing over the next 18 months
Transcend Equity, a leader in developing energy efficiency projects in commercial real estate, private higher education, and healthcare, will commit to partnering with industry and investors to accelerate the usage of its Managed Energy Services Agreement (“MESA”) structure to facilitate investment in energy efficiency improvements in privately owned real estate. This is expected to result in a minimum of $75 million of financing for energy efficiency projects over the next 18 months, projects which are expected to save 25% or more in energy usage. This will be achieved by leveraging its recent joint venture equity investment by Mitsui USA to attract additional debt providers while aggressively marketing and sourcing projects, evaluating & financing projects identified by Better Buildings Challenge partners, and showcasing projects under the Better Buildings Challenge to help stimulate additional demand.

Better Buildings Challenge Community Partners: More than 47 million square feet, hundreds of city blocks of enrolled buildings and facilities, and up to $30 million in financing

City of Atlanta: 220 downtown city blocks targeted with Atlanta’s City Hall and Civic Center leading the way
The City of Atlanta has united with the metropolitan business and nonprofit community to implement a comprehensive energy upgrade for downtown buildings to meet the goal of improving energy performance a minimum of 20% by 2020. Working with the Department of Energy, the effort is already underway with a benchmarking initiative for Atlanta's 220-block downtown improvement district, including City Hall, the Civic Center, and other municipal facilities, as well as to eventually include landmark buildings in the downtown area. Going forward, project partners will work with banks, funds, Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), and others to enable substantive retrofits of downtown university, healthcare, municipal, and commercial buildings. Enrolled buildings participating in substantive retrofits will initially exceed 2 million square feet, with broader participation expected in energy monitoring and action.

City of Los Angeles: $7.5 million in Recovery Act funding will leverage $30 million in total investment to improve 22 million square feet of downtown buildings
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the City of Los Angeles will soon be launching and promoting LA Commercial Building Performance Partnership, which provides energy audits and a suite of creative financing solutions, as a means to support owners of commercial property in energy upgrades.   Los Angeles will set a goal of 20% minimum savings on projects supported through the program, and the City will work with and recognize private sector property owners who make commitments of their own to reduce energy consumption 20% by 2020, consistent with the Better Buildings Initiative goals.  The City expects approximately 22 million square feet of commercial property to be audited through the LA Commercial Building Performance Partnership, using $7.5 million in Recovery Act funds with the goal of driving over $30 million in total investment.

Seattle 2030 District: 23 million feet of downtown buildings will meet or exceed Better Building Challenge goals
The Seattle 2030 District is an effort of more than 40 civic leaders – building owners and professionals, utilities, Architecture2030, the City of Seattle, and King County – to become the first large-scale, high performance building district in the country. The 2030 District has set aggressive reduction goals for building energy use, water use, and greenhouse gases based on the 2030 Challenge for Planning, and members have agreed to work together to ensure the District meets those goals. The Seattle 2030 District is model of public-private collaboration that will reduce energy use, generate local economic activity, and pave the way towards a sustainable future.   Enrolled buildings will exceed 23 million square feet.

President Obama addresses the need to reduce the nation’s deficit while creating jobs across the country and wishes Americans a happy Fourth of July.

The Council on Veterans Employment met to review results thus far and continue the discussion on how to increase Veteran employment in the public and private sectors.

Inspired by the First Lady's Joining Forces campaign for military families, the Honor Cards aims to create an atmosphere of 'shared service' and a WWII sense of 'all give some' by encouraging Americans to perform service in honor of military families and veterans.

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Source: whitehouse.gov