Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper announced today that the president has made the following nomination

Air Force Col. Kathleen M. Flarity has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general.  Flarity is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the Command Surgeon, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

Four Nominations Sent to the Senate

John Peter Cronan, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, vice William H. Pauley III, retired.

     Diana Furchtgott-Roth, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation.  (New Position)

     Katherine Camille Henderson, of Tennessee, to be Chief of Protocol, and to have the rank of Ambassador during her tenure of service, vice Sean P. Lawler, resigned.

     William E. Todd, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Executive Service, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
 

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate the Following Individuals to Key Administration Posts

Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key positions in his Administration:

Matthew Donovan of Virginia, to be the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.

Matthew Donovan currently serves as Under Secretary of the Air Force, and was acting Secretary of the Air Force from June to October, 2019.  Previously, Colonel Donovan served as Majority Policy Director and Professional Staff Member for the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services, where his responsibilities included advising the Chairman on regional affairs and legislative policy, as well as oversight of the Department of Defense fixed-wing fighter, bomber, mobility, and special mission aircraft programs.

Colonel Donovan served over 30 years on active duty in the United States Air Force as a combat fighter pilot and in various operational and staff positions.  Following his military retirement, Colonel Donovan was a Senior Defense Policy Analyst at Science Applications International Corporation, and then served as a civilian in various United States Air Force positions.

Colonel Donovan is a recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Aerial Achievement Medal.  He holds a baccalaureate degree from Regis University, and master’s degrees from Webster University, the United States Air Force School of Advanced Airpower Studies, and the United States Army School of Advanced Military Studies.

Victor G. Mercado of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense (Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities).

Victor Mercado currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Plans and Posture.  Before transitioning to government service in January 2019, Mr. Mercado served as Director of Maritime Operations for the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  Formerly, he served as Director of the Assessments Division for the Chief of Naval Operations.

Mr. Mercado has also served as Commander of Carrier Strike Group Eight, Vice Director of Strategic Plans and Policy for United States Central Command, and Deputy Director of the Surface Warfare Division.

Mr. Mercado is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School, where he earned his Master of Science in Systems Technology in Joint Command Control and Communications, and the United States Naval Academy, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

Mr. Mercado is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Nominations Now Open For The 2020 Governor’s Volunteer Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2020 Governor's Volunteer Awards.
The Governor's Volunteer Awards are administered by the OneStar
Foundation, and are an opportunity for the state of Texas to honor those
who exhibit excellence in serving their communities.

Nominations are open in nine categories

Governor’s Lone Star Achievement Award

First Lady’s Rising Star Award

Partners in Education Award

Service to Veterans Award

Higher Education Community Impact Award – University     

Higher Education Community Impact Award – Community College

Corporate Community Impact Award

Community Leadership Award

National Service “Make a Difference” Award

To nominate an individual or organization for an award, visit:

http://onestarfoundation.org/gva-nomination-form/

To see the descriptions and criteria for each award, visit:

http://onestarfoundation.org/governors-volunteer-awards/

Nominations will close on Thursday, May 14, 2020. Awardees will be
honored in the fall at an evening reception at the Governor’s Mansion
hosted by Honorary Chair of the Governor’s Volunteer Awards, Texas First
Lady Cecilia Abbott.

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate the Following Individual to a Key Administration Post and the Selection of Other Individuals

Today,
President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate the following
individual to a key position in his Administration:

Dana T. Wade of the District of Columbia, to be the Assistant Secretary for Housing, Federal Housing Commissioner.

Mrs. Wade was previously the Acting Federal Housing Commissioner and
Assistant Secretary for Housing from July 2017 to June 2018.  In this
capacity, she oversaw over 2,400 employees and implemented enhanced risk
management and monitoring of the Federal Housing Agency’s $1.3 trillion
portfolio.  Wade also served as a Program Associate Director for
General Government at the Office of Management and Budget from December
2018 to December 2019, where she led budget oversight for six Executive
Branch agencies with a keen focus on financial services, including the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, and multiple independent
agencies. She has also held some of the most senior staff positions in
Congress, serving as the Deputy Staff Director for the United States
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development and the
Republican Deputy Staff Director for the United States Senate Committee
on Appropriations under Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL). Wade holds an MBA
from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in
Economics from Georgetown University.
 

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Today, President Donald J. Trump announced that Adam Boehler
will be Executive Chairman of the Prosper Africa initiative.  Victoria
Whitney will be the Chief Operating Officer for the initiative.  Mr.
Boehler will fulfill this role while continuing to serve as Chief
Executive Officer of the United States International Development Finance
Corporation.  Ms. Whitney most recently served as Senior Director for
Strategy and Communications at the United States Agency for
International Development.

Prosper Africa is a whole-of-government initiative to increase trade and
investment between the United States and African nations.  This
Administration is committed to accelerating United States-African
cooperation on free, fair, and reciprocal trade and investment, which
will benefit Americans and people all across the African continent.

 

Eleven Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

     Adam L. Braverman, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, vice Roger T. Benitez, retired.

     John W. Holcomb, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, vice Dean D. Pregerson, retired.

     Knut Sveinbjorn Johnson, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, vice John A. Houston, retired.

     Steve Kim, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, vice Beverly Reid O'Connell, deceased.

     Sandy Nunes Leal, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, vice Christina A. Snyder, retired.

     R. Shireen Matthews, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, vice Barry Ted Moskowitz, retired.

     Michelle M. Pettit, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, vice Michael M. Anello, retired.

     Rick Lloyd Richmond, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, vice Manuel L. Real, retired.

     Todd Wallace Robinson, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California, vice Marilyn L. Huff, retired.

     Jeremy B. Rosen, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, vice Margaret M. Morrow, retired.

     Jennifer P. Togliatti, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada, vice James C. Mahan, retired.

Fifteen Nominations and Two Withdrawals Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

     Catherine Bird, of Texas, to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term of five years, vice Julia Akins Clark, term expired.

     Lorenzo Candelaria, of New York, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2024, vice Shelly Colleen Lowe, term expired.

     Kenneth Charles Canterbury, Jr., of South Carolina, to be Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, vice Byron Todd Jones, resigned.

     James P. Danly, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2023, vice Kevin J. McIntyre.

     William G. Dauster, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for a term of four years, vice Robert D. Reischauer, term expired.

     William G. Dauster, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund for a term of four years, vice Robert D. Reischauer, term expired.

     William G. Dauster, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for a term of four years, vice Robert D. Reischauer, term expired.

     David W. Dugan, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois, vice David R. Herndon, retired.

     Tony Hammond, of Missouri, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation for a term expiring December 10, 2025, vice Javaid Anwar, term expired.

     Iain D. Johnston, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, vice Frederick J. Kapala, retired.

     Craig Edward Leen, of the District of Columbia, to be Inspector General, Office of Personnel Management, vice Patrick E. McFarland, resigned.

     Tyreece L. Miller, of Tennessee, to be United States Marshal for the Western District of Tennessee for the term of four years, vice Jeffrey Thomas Holt, term expired.

     Franklin Ulyses Valderrama, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, vice Ruben Castillo, retired.

     Christy Criswell Wiegand, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania, vice Peter J. Phipps, elevated.

     Richard E. Zuckerman, of Michigan, to be an Assistant Attorney General, vice Kathryn Keneally, resigned.

WITHDRAWALS SENT TO THE SENATE:

     Jessie K. Liu, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes, vice Sigal Mandelker, resigned, which was sent to the Senate on January 6, 2020.

     J. David Patterson, of Tennessee, to be a Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, vice Laura Junor, resigned, which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2020.

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint the Following Individuals to Key Administration Posts

Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key positions in his Administration:

Alex Nelson Wong of New Jersey, to be Alternate Representative of the United States of America for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador, and as an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during his tenure of service as an Alternate Representative of the United States of America for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations.

Alex Wong currently serves as Deputy Special Representative for North Korea at the State Department and as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for North Korea in the State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.  Prior to these roles, Mr. Wong was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional and Security Affairs in the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau, and earlier he was the Foreign Policy Advisor and General Counsel to United States Senator Tom Cotton.  Mr. Wong was previously an attorney at the Washington, D.C. law firm of Covington and Burling.  He also served as a law clerk for Judge Janice Rogers Brown of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.  Mr. Wong earned his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he was the Managing Editor of the Harvard Law Review.

Aldona Z. Wos of North Carolina, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Canada.

Dr. Wos presently serves as Vice Chair of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.  Previously, Dr. Wos served as the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and before that was the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia.  Currently, she is a member of the Board of Directors of the Council of American Ambassadors, the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, and The Institute of World Politics, and she was a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Council.  Earlier in her career, Dr. Wos worked as a physician specializing in internal medicine and pulmonary care.  She is an active Member of the Republican Regents, Republican National Committee, serves on the Duke University Law School Board of Visitors, and previously was on the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.  Dr. Wos attended Marquette University and then the Warsaw Medical Academy from which she received her Doctor of Medicine degree.

Jesse Merriam of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities.

Elizabeth Gleason of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts.
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Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key positions in his Administration:

Nikan Khatibi of California, to be a Member of the National Cancer Advisory Board.

Justin Reilly Clark of Connecticut, to be a Member on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.

Joshua Pitcock of Indiana, to be a Member on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.

Reinhold Priebus of Wisconsin, to be a Member on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.

Sean Michael Spicer of Virginia, to be a Member on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.

Mark Schultz of Nebraska (Education Rep), to be a Member of the Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely Disabled (Ability One Commission).

Thomas Sheridan of Alaska, to be the United States Commissioner on the United States Section of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission.

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Individual to Key Administration Post

Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key position in his Administration:

Craig Edward Leen of the District of Columbia to be the Inspector General at the Office of Personnel Management.

Craig E. Leen presently serves as the Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) at the United States Department of Labor, where he oversees audits of Federal contractors and ensures compliance with Federal civil rights requirements.  He also serves on the Special Education Advisory Board for District of Columbia Public Schools, as a professorial lecturer in law at the George Washington University Law School, and previously served on the constituency board for the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.  Prior to his work at OFCCP, Mr. Leen was the City Attorney of Coral Gables, Florida, where he served as chief ethics officer, oversaw city prosecutions and the city prosecutor, oversaw reviews and investigations as directed by the City Commission, and provided legal opinions and guidance on behalf of the city to public officials and stakeholders to assist in compliance with law.  He is also known for his work helping establish a comprehensive disability inclusion program at the City of Coral Gables.  Mr. Leen received his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law and his B.A from Georgetown University.

Ten Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

     Almo J. Carter, of the District of Columbia, to be a Commissioner of the United States Parole Commission for a term of six years, vice Cranston J. Mitchell, term expired.

     Finch Fulton, of Alabama, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation, vice Carlos A. Monje, Jr.

     William Ellison Grayson, of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Estonia.

     Julie Elizabeth Hocker, of Pennsylvania, to be an Assistant Secretary of Labor, vice Kathleen Martinez, resigned.

     John Chase Johnson, of Oklahoma, to be Inspector General, Federal Communications Commission.  (New Position)

     Jenny A. McGee, of Texas, to be an Associate Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, vice R. David Harden.

     Thomas M. Mistele, of Florida, to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a term expiring December 31, 2022, vice Gregory Karawan, term expired.

     Judy Shelton, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2010, vice Janet L. Yellen, resigned.

     Charles A. Stones, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, vice Bruce J. Sherrick.

     Christopher Waller, of Minnesota, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for a term of fourteen years from February 1, 2016, vice Sarah Bloom Raskin, resigned.

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint the Following Individuals to Key Administration Posts, one of the picks came from Houston Texas

President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key positions in his Administration:

Beth Harwell of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Brian Noland of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
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Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key positions in his Administration:

Mendel Goldstein of California, to be a Member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.

Curtis Darrow Robinson of Connecticut, to be a Member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.

Sigal Mandelker of New York, to be a Member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.

Hock E. Tan of California, to be a Member of the President’s National Security and Telecommunications Advisory Committee.

Brian J. Truskowski of Connecticut, to be a Member of the President’s National Security and Telecommunications Advisory Committee.

Theresa Mayer of Indiana, to be a Member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

Hussein Tawbi of Texas, to be a Member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

Harry C. Erwin III of Arkansas, to be a Member of the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Kevin Robl of California, to be a Member of the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Albert Riley James of Missouri, to be a Member of the Mississippi River Commission.