WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:
• Danny Russel – Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State
• Rick Metsger – Member, National Credit Union Administration Board
The President also announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:
• Michael G. Whitaker – Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation
• Alphonso Maldon, Jr. – Member and Chair, Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission
• Mary C. Pete – Member, Arctic Research Commission
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:
Danny Russel, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State
Danny Russel, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asian Affairs on the White House National Security Staff (NSS). From 2009 to 2011, he was the NSS Director for Japan, South Korea, and North Korea. Before joining the NSS, Mr. Russel was Director of the Office of Japanese Affairs at the Department of State. From 2005 to 2008, he was U.S. Consul General in Osaka-Kobe, Japan. Previously, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague from 2002 to 2005, and as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus from 1999 to 2002. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Russel was Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Earlier assignments included posts at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Korea and with the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Before joining the Foreign Service in 1985, Mr. Russel was a manager for an international firm based in New York City.
Rick Metsger, Nominee for Member, National Credit Union Administration Board
Rick Metsger is President of Parakletos Strategic Public Affairs LLC, a position he has held since 2010. Prior to this, Mr. Metsger served in the Oregon State Senate from 1999 to 2011, and as Senate President Pro Tempore from 2009 to 2011. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Metsger worked as a Principal at Metsger Forbes LLC. He was Principal of NewsMedia Dynamics Inc. from 1992 to 1999. Mr. Metsger was a news anchor and reporter for KOIN-TV in Portland, Oregon from 1977 to 1992. He served on the State Treasury Debt Policy Advisory Commission from 2001 to 2011 and was on the Board of Directors of Portland Teachers Credit Union from 1993 to 2001. Mr. Metsger received a B.S. and an M.A.T. from Lewis & Clark College.
President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:
Michael G. Whitaker, Appointee for Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation
Michael G. Whitaker most recently served as a Board Member and Business Development Consultant for InterGlobe Enterprises from 2011 to 2012. Prior to this, Mr. Whitaker was a Group Chief Executive Officer within InterGlobe Enterprises from 2009 to 2011. From 1994 to 2009, he served at United Airlines, most recently as Senior Vice President for Alliances, International, and Regulatory Affairs. Prior to that, he served at Trans World Airlines from 1991 to 1994, most recently as Assistant General Counsel for Regulatory and International Affairs. Mr. Whitaker received a B.A. from the University of Louisville and a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center.
Alphonso Maldon, Jr., Appointee for Member and Chair, Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission
Alphonso Maldon, Jr. is Founder, President, and CEO of Partnership Strategies Consulting in Virginia. He is also part-owner of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club. Before launching Partnership Strategies Consulting in 2009, Mr. Maldon was Senior Vice President for External Affairs for the Washington Nationals and President of the Dream Foundation, the Washington Nationals’ philanthropic arm. Before joining the Washington Nationals Baseball Club, Mr. Maldon was Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Management Officer for Government Banking Services for PNC Financial Services Group in Washington, D.C. Previously, he was Executive Vice President with Fleet Boston Financial and Bank of America. From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Maldon served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management Policy. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs at the White House and White House Congressional Liaison to the United States Senate and House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999. From 1994 to 1995, he was Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Military Office. Mr. Maldon served in the U.S. Army from 1973 to 1993 and retired with the rank of Colonel. He received a B.S. from Florida A&M and an M.A. from the University of Oklahoma.
Mary C. Pete, Appointee for Member, Arctic Research Commission
Mary C. Pete is the Director of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel, Alaska, a position she has held since 2005. She was first appointed to the Artic Research Commission by President Obama in 2010. Prior to that, from 1996 to 2005, she served as the Director of the Division of Subsistence for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. From 1993 to 1996, Ms. Pete was an instructor in the Department of Rural Development at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and a Subsistence Resource Specialist from 1984 to 1993. From 2005 to 2009 she served as a member of the North Pacific Research Board Science Panel. Ms. Pete received a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.