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| President Barack Obama talks on the phone with President Beji Caid Essebsi of Tunisia during a foreign leader call in the Oval Office, Jan. 5, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) |
From Denny: Sprinting through the last two years of this presidency, it's tough to find people willing to work short term. It's amazing his staff stayed as long as they did considering how much burnout is a problem working in any White House.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
February 24, 2015
President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:
- Katherine Simonds Dhanani – Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Somalia, Department of State
- Amias Gerety – Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions, Department of the Treasury
- Cono R. Namorato – Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division, Department of Justice
- Anne Elizabeth Wall – Deputy Under Secretary for Legislative Affairs, Department of the Treasury, upon appointment to be designated Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs
President Obama also announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:
- Laura DeBonis – Member, Public Interest Declassification Board
- Solomon B. Watson IV – Member, Public Interest Declassification Board
- John W. Keker – Member, Board of Directors of the Presidio Trust
- Joan Ellyn Silber – Member, Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
President Obama said, “I am honored that these talented individuals have decided to serve our country. They bring their years of experience and expertise to this Administration, and I look forward to working with them.”
President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:
Katherine Simonds Dhanani, Nominee for Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Somalia, Department of State
Katherine Simonds Dhanani, a career member of the Foreign Service, class of Counselor, currently serves as Director of the Office of Regional and Security Affairs in the Bureau of African Affairs in the Department of State, a position she has held since 2013. Previously, Ms. Dhanani served as Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad, India from 2010 to 2013 and was Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe from 2007 to 2010 as well as at the U.S. Embassy in Libreville, Gabon from 2005 to 2007. Additionally, she was the Political and Economic Section Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, Zambia from 2002 to 2005 and Economic Section Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1999 to 2002. She was an Economic Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico from 1998 to 1999 as well as in the Office of Mexican Affairs at the Department of State from 1996 to 1998. Prior to this, she served as Staff Assistant in the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs at the Department of State, as Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo and as Economic Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana. She was also Assistant Planner for the City of Sacramento in California and a Lecturer at Grinnell College in Iowa. Ms. Dhanani received a B.A. from Kenyon College and an M.A. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Amias Gerety, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions, Department of the Treasury
Amias Gerety serves as Counselor in the Office of Domestic Finance at the Department of the Treasury, a position he has held since June 2014. He also served as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions at Treasury from April 2014 to November 2014. From 2011 to 2014, he was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Stability Oversight Council at Treasury. Prior to this, he served as Senior Advisor in the Office of Financial Institutions at Treasury from 2009 to 2010. From 2005 to 2009, Mr. Gerety was an Associate at Oliver Wyman. Additionally, he worked with Gene Sperling as a researcher for The Pro-Growth Progressive from 2004 to 2005. Mr. Gerety received an A.B. from Harvard University.
Cono R. Namorato, Nominee for Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division, Department of Justice
Cono R. Namorato is currently a Member of the law firm Caplin & Drysdale, a position he has held since 2006 and previously from 1978 to 2004. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Namorato served as Acting Deputy Commissioner for certain designated matters and as Director of the Office of Professional Responsibility for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the Department of the Treasury. Before beginning his career at Caplin & Drysdale, Mr. Namorato held various positions within the Tax Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ), including Deputy Assistant Attorney General from 1977 to 1978, Assistant Chief and then Chief of the Criminal Section from 1973 to 1977, and Supervisory Trial Attorney and Trial Attorney from 1968 to 1973. Mr. Namorato began his career in 1963 as a Special Agent for the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS in the Brooklyn District. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel. Mr. Namorato has headed various tax-related committees and subcommittees for the American Bar Association, serving as Chair of the Tax Section’s Subcommittee on Criminal Tax Policy, Chair of the Committee on Tax Litigation, and Co-Chair of the Committee on Complex Criminal Litigation of the Litigation Section. Mr. Namorato received a B.B.A. from Iona College and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.
Cono R. Namorato is currently a Member of the law firm Caplin & Drysdale, a position he has held since 2006 and previously from 1978 to 2004. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Namorato served as Acting Deputy Commissioner for certain designated matters and as Director of the Office of Professional Responsibility for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the Department of the Treasury. Before beginning his career at Caplin & Drysdale, Mr. Namorato held various positions within the Tax Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ), including Deputy Assistant Attorney General from 1977 to 1978, Assistant Chief and then Chief of the Criminal Section from 1973 to 1977, and Supervisory Trial Attorney and Trial Attorney from 1968 to 1973. Mr. Namorato began his career in 1963 as a Special Agent for the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS in the Brooklyn District. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel. Mr. Namorato has headed various tax-related committees and subcommittees for the American Bar Association, serving as Chair of the Tax Section’s Subcommittee on Criminal Tax Policy, Chair of the Committee on Tax Litigation, and Co-Chair of the Committee on Complex Criminal Litigation of the Litigation Section. Mr. Namorato received a B.B.A. from Iona College and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.
Anne Elizabeth Wall, Nominee for Deputy Under Secretary for Legislative Affairs, Department of the Treasury, upon appointment to be designated Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs
Anne Elizabeth Wall is currently a Counselor to Secretary Lew at the Department of the Treasury, a position she has held since January 2015. From 2011 through 2014, Ms. Wall served in the White House, most recently as the Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs and Senate Liaison from 2013 to 2014 and previously as Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs from 2011 to 2013. Prior to joining the White House, Ms. Wall served in the office of United States Senator and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) from 2006 to 2011 holding various positions, including Floor Director and Office Counsel. From 2004 to 2006, she was a litigation associate at Pretzel & Stouffer in Chicago. She also served as a Law Clerk for Cook County Circuit Court Judges Allen Goldberg and Lynn Egan. Ms. Wall received a B.A. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and a J.D. from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, where she was a member of the Law Review.
Anne Elizabeth Wall is currently a Counselor to Secretary Lew at the Department of the Treasury, a position she has held since January 2015. From 2011 through 2014, Ms. Wall served in the White House, most recently as the Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs and Senate Liaison from 2013 to 2014 and previously as Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs from 2011 to 2013. Prior to joining the White House, Ms. Wall served in the office of United States Senator and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) from 2006 to 2011 holding various positions, including Floor Director and Office Counsel. From 2004 to 2006, she was a litigation associate at Pretzel & Stouffer in Chicago. She also served as a Law Clerk for Cook County Circuit Court Judges Allen Goldberg and Lynn Egan. Ms. Wall received a B.A. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and a J.D. from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, where she was a member of the Law Review.
President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:
Laura DeBonis, Appointee for Member, Public Interest Declassification Board
Laura DeBonis has been a consultant to EF Education First since 2013. Previously, she was Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for the Juliette Kayyem Campaign for Massachusetts Governor from 2013 to 2014. Ms. DeBonis was a Team Member with the Internet Safety Technical Task Force at the Berkman Center, Harvard University, from 2008 to 2009. Ms. DeBonis served in various roles at Google from 2002 to 2008, including Director for Book Search Library Partnerships from 2004 to 2008 and Director of AdSense Online in 2004. She worked for Alter Ego Networks from 2000 to 2001, Organic Online from 1999 to 2000, and Chedd-Angier Production Company from 1993 to 1997. Ms. DeBonis is a Founding Board Member of the Digital Public Library of America, and a member of the Board of Trustees of WGBH Boston and the Boston Public Library. She received a B.A. from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Laura DeBonis has been a consultant to EF Education First since 2013. Previously, she was Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for the Juliette Kayyem Campaign for Massachusetts Governor from 2013 to 2014. Ms. DeBonis was a Team Member with the Internet Safety Technical Task Force at the Berkman Center, Harvard University, from 2008 to 2009. Ms. DeBonis served in various roles at Google from 2002 to 2008, including Director for Book Search Library Partnerships from 2004 to 2008 and Director of AdSense Online in 2004. She worked for Alter Ego Networks from 2000 to 2001, Organic Online from 1999 to 2000, and Chedd-Angier Production Company from 1993 to 1997. Ms. DeBonis is a Founding Board Member of the Digital Public Library of America, and a member of the Board of Trustees of WGBH Boston and the Boston Public Library. She received a B.A. from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Solomon B. Watson IV, Appointee for Member, Public Interest Declassification Board
Solomon B. Watson IV was Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of The New York Times Company, positions he held from 2005 to 2006. He began his career at The New York Times Company in 1974 and held various positions including Senior Vice President and General Counsel from 1996 to 2005, Vice President and General Counsel from 1990 to 1996, General Counsel from 1989 to 1990, Corporate Secretary from 1979 to 1989 and 2000 to 2002, and Corporate Counsel from 1974 to 1979. Mr. Watson has been a Special Master in the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, and is a member of the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. From 1966 to 1968 he served in the U.S. Army as a lieutenant in the Military Police Corps. Mr. Watson received a B.A. from Howard University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Solomon B. Watson IV was Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of The New York Times Company, positions he held from 2005 to 2006. He began his career at The New York Times Company in 1974 and held various positions including Senior Vice President and General Counsel from 1996 to 2005, Vice President and General Counsel from 1990 to 1996, General Counsel from 1989 to 1990, Corporate Secretary from 1979 to 1989 and 2000 to 2002, and Corporate Counsel from 1974 to 1979. Mr. Watson has been a Special Master in the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, and is a member of the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. From 1966 to 1968 he served in the U.S. Army as a lieutenant in the Military Police Corps. Mr. Watson received a B.A. from Howard University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
John W. Keker, Appointee for Member, Board of Directors of the Presidio Trust
John W. Keker is a co-founder and partner at Keker & Van Nest LLP, a firm he co-founded in 1978. Before entering private practice, he worked as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in San Francisco from 1971 to 1973. He served as a law clerk to Retired Chief Justice Earl Warren from 1970 to 1971. Mr. Keker was an infantry platoon leader in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam from 1965 until his retirement for wounds in 1967. He was President of the San Francisco Police Commission from 1996 to 1997 and 1991 to 1992, and past Chairman of the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Control Board from 1981 to 1983. Mr. Keker received a B.A. from Princeton University and a J.D. from Yale Law School.
John W. Keker is a co-founder and partner at Keker & Van Nest LLP, a firm he co-founded in 1978. Before entering private practice, he worked as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in San Francisco from 1971 to 1973. He served as a law clerk to Retired Chief Justice Earl Warren from 1970 to 1971. Mr. Keker was an infantry platoon leader in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam from 1965 until his retirement for wounds in 1967. He was President of the San Francisco Police Commission from 1996 to 1997 and 1991 to 1992, and past Chairman of the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Control Board from 1981 to 1983. Mr. Keker received a B.A. from Princeton University and a J.D. from Yale Law School.
Dr. Joan Ellyn Silber, Appointee for Member, Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad
Dr. Joan Ellyn Silber is a philanthropist and active member of several educational and cultural foundations. She was first appointed to the Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad in 2011. Dr. Silber serves on the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Jewish Committee, the Scholarship Foundation, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. She serves on the Advisory Board of Directors of the Webster University College of Arts and Sciences and the Michael and Barbara Newmark Institute for Human Relations at the Jewish Community Relations Council. Previously, Dr. Silber served on the Board of Directors of Aish HaTorah St. Louis, the Epstein Hebrew Academy, Ayecha, and HateBrakers. Additionally, she has been an office manager and consultant for Dr. Sherman Silber’s medical practice since 1976. She received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2012. Dr. Silber received a B.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Joan Ellyn Silber is a philanthropist and active member of several educational and cultural foundations. She was first appointed to the Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad in 2011. Dr. Silber serves on the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Jewish Committee, the Scholarship Foundation, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. She serves on the Advisory Board of Directors of the Webster University College of Arts and Sciences and the Michael and Barbara Newmark Institute for Human Relations at the Jewish Community Relations Council. Previously, Dr. Silber served on the Board of Directors of Aish HaTorah St. Louis, the Epstein Hebrew Academy, Ayecha, and HateBrakers. Additionally, she has been an office manager and consultant for Dr. Sherman Silber’s medical practice since 1976. She received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2012. Dr. Silber received a B.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.
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