WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke welcomed three new hires to the Department in the Office of the Solicitor, the Office of Communications, and the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs. The new additions bring a combination of Congressional, Executive Branch, and private sector experience.
“I could not be happier with the way our Department has been staffing up in recent weeks. These new team members will help us more efficiently and effectively carryout the President's priorities on behalf of the American people,” Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke said.
Richard Goeken has been hired as Deputy Solicitor for Parks and Wildlife. Goeken has over 20 years of legal experience, beginning as an Associate and then a Partner at Saltman & Stevens, P.C. In 2012, Saltman & Stevens merged with Smith Currie & Hancock, L.L.P., where Goeken was a Partner for the last five years. His career has focused on environmental law and policy. Goeken is a graduate of the College of William & Mary’s Law School.
Russell Newell returns to Interior as the Deputy Director of Communications. For the last five years, Newell has served as Director of Executive & Corporate Communication at Disney/ABC Television Group. Newell also served as Director of Communications and Media Relations for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as Senior Media Advisor for Multi-National Forces-Iraq, and as a Public Affairs Officer and speechwriter at the Departments of State, Interior, and Homeland Security, as well as for Governor Jeb Bush.
Blake Deeley will serve as an Advisor in the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs. He has extensive experience on Capitol Hill, and was most recently a Policy Advisor in the Office of Congressman David McKinley of West Virginia and served as the lead staffer for the Congressional Coal Caucus. Prior to this, he was a Manager of Public Affairs at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, a Legislative Correspondent for Senator Mitch McConnell, and a Staff Assistant for Senator Rand Paul.
Source: Department of Interior
