Transition Agency Update
President-elect Obama has selected David Hayes to lead the transition efforts at the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. Hayes is a former deputy secretary at the Department of Interior under Clinton.
At the Department of Energy (DOE), top names on the short list for Secretary include: General David Jones; Duke CEO, Jim Rogers; and Fed Ex CEO, Fred Smith. In addition, Governors Schwarzenegger, Rendell, and Siebelius are also mentioned as possibilities. Outside candidates are former Clinton Secretary of Transportation, Federico Pena; and Google member, Dan Reicher, who was also a Clinton assistant secretary at the Department of Energy.
Other members of the transition staff will most likely include: Obama energy advisor, Jason Grumet and David Sandalow, who is a former director for environmental affairs at the National Security Counsel under President Clinton; former solicitor at Interior, John Lesley; former assistant secretary of fish, wildlife and parks at Interior, Donald J. Barry; and former under secretary of state for global affairs, Frank E. Loy.
At the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a handful of names are currently on the short list for secretary, including: environmental activist Bobby Kennedy Jr; Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Secretary, Katie McGinty; former California Secretary of Resources, Mary Nichols; and Chief of Staff to Governor Cozine, Lisa Jackson.
During the campaign, Obama announced he would create a White House National Energy and Climate Council. Membership speculation includes such names as: Transition Co-Chair, John Podesta; Advisory Board member and former Clinton EPA Administration, Carol Browner; and energy advisor to Obama, Jason Grumet.
As the Obama transition team crystallizes, leadership responsibilities of the three co-chairs are becoming increasingly clear. In the upcoming days, Advisory Board Member, Donald Gips along with Co-Director for Agency Review, Melody Barnes, who is also executive vice president for policy at Center for American Progress, will be conducting agency-by-agency reviews. These reviews will include identifying budget issues, administrative problems, and policy priorities within the agencies. Upon completion, Gips will provide every Cabinet secretary and administrator with a written report on their findings. In addition, Co-Chair Valerie Jarrett will serve as a key conduit to President-elect Obama, and Co-Chair Peter Rouse will help the Chief of Staff - designate organize the White House.
In addition, General Counsel and Transition Senior Staff member, Cassandra Butts, along with Transition Advisory Board member, Michael Froman, will assist on sub-Cabinet personnel issues, including diversity and vetting ethical conflicts.
At the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), President-elect Obama has selected Washington, DC lawyer Henry Rivera to lead the agency's transition effort. Rivera worked at the FCC from 1981 to 1985 under Regan appointed FCC Chairman, Mark Fowler.
Rand Beers is President-elect Obama's transition advisor for the Department of Homeland Security. Senior staff on the House Homeland and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committees are also assisting.
Shifting to the White House, President-elect Obama has selected Rep. Rahm Emanuel as Chief of Staff - designate, and Robert Gibbs will be the White House Press Secretary - designate. Previously, Gibbs served as a senior campaign official and communications director for Obama's Senate office.
