Appointments and Resignations
Ambassador to Belgium: Who is Howard Gutman?
Yet another in a growing list of ambassadorial appointees who raised large sums of cash for President Barack Obama, Howard W. Gutman has a resume that is not without controversy. A high-octane lawyer and player in Democratic Party politics, Gutman... read more
Ambassador to Saudi Arabia: Who is James B. Smith?
James B. Smith reportedly donated $3,300 to President Barack Obama’s election, but that’s not what got him the ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia. What put the former Air Force general in Obama’s good graces was his decision in 2008 to endorse Obama a... read more
Ambassador to Bahamas: Who is Nicole Avant?
Having mingled with politicians and celebrities her entire life, Nicole A. Avant made herself into one of the most powerful fundraisers in Los Angeles. And after helping President Barack Obama rake in millions of dollars from Southern California’s... read more
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Who is Eric Broderick?
An assistant surgeon general, Rear Admiral Eric B. Broderick has served as the acting administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration since August 2008, overseeing a staff of more than 500 and a budget of $3.3 billi... read more
Ambassador to Canada: Who is David Jacobson?
Some of President Barack Obama’s choices for U.S. ambassador have touched off foreign concerns over nominees being better known as FOOs (friends of Obama) or big-time fundraisers, but that’s not a problem for David Jacobson. Yes, he was one of Oba... read more
Ambassador to Haiti: Who is Ken Merten?
Kenneth H. Merten, a career diplomat of more than 20 years, was sworn in as U.S. ambassador to Haiti August 17, 2009. Merten has twice before worked in the small island nation.
Merten attended college at Miami University in Ohio, where he grad... read more
Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: Who Is Kenneth Melson?
On April 8, 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that Ken Melson, since May 14, 2007, the director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, would be the next Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (... read more
Congressional Budget Office: Who is Douglas Elmendorf?
Douglas Elmendorf is arguably the most important nomination that President Barack Obama has no say over. Chosen by the leaders of the House and Senate, the director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) holds considerable sway on Capitol Hill b... read more
Director of United States Attorneys: Who is H. Marshall Jarrett?
On April 8, 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that he was appointing H. Marshall Jarrett, since 1998 the Chief Counsel and Director of the Justice Department’s Office of Professional
Responsibility (OPR), the new Director of the Office... read more
Ambassador to South Africa: Who is Donald Gips?
South African officials can take solace in knowing the new U.S. ambassador to their country at least has a direct line to President Barack Obama. For what Donald H. Gips lacks in experience as a diplomat or involvement in South African affairs is ... read more
Assistant Secretary for Aging: Who is Kathy Greenlee?
If Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius ever longs for her days back in Kansas, she can always wander down the hall and visit with her old pal, Kathy J. Greenlee. The new head of the Administration on Aging is a longtime aide o... read more
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Who is Thomas Frieden?
With a long career in public health, Thomas R. Frieden’s credits include spearheading successful programs to curb tuberculosis in New York City and India. President Barack Obama’s choice to take over the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ... read more
Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service: Who Is Ray Jefferson?
President Obama has nominated an injured veteran to head the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), which provides resources and services to help veterans locate grants, training and employment opportunities, and t... read more
Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities: Who Is Jim Leach?
President Obama has nominated a Republican, Jim Leach, to serve as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. If confirmed by the Senate, former Congressman Leach will become the fifth Republican to serve in the Obama administration, j... read more
Secretary of the Army: Who Is John McHugh?
Fulfilling his promise of appointing Republicans to his administration, President Obama has turned to Republican Congressman John M. McHugh to serve as Secretary of the Army. McHugh represents New York’s 23rd Congressional District, which includes... read more
New Car Czar: Investment Banker Turned Union Advisor
Whether “Car Czar” Steven Rattner has stepped down because of a growing public corruption probe by New York’s attorney general or because his specialty is no longer needed, the job of finishing the Obama administration’s repair of the auto industr... read more