The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced new appointments to help implement the Biden administration programs that were recently approved by Congress.
“The Department of the Interior is moving quickly to implement President (Joe) Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to achieve the administration’s ambitious goals to tackle the climate crisis while lowering costs for working families and creating good-paying jobs," the department's chief of staff, Rachael Taylor, said in a DOI press release. "We are thrilled to welcome our new team members who will play key roles in achieving Interior’s mission and delivering results for the American people.”
The appointees are: Perrin Cooke, oversight counsel, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs; Courtney Fogwell, senior advisor, assistant secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks; Jim Guthrie, senior advisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Chloe Leaverton, special assistant, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and Celeste Zumwalt, briefing book coordinator, Office of the Secretary.
Cooke is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia Law School. His experience includes work as an associate at Covington and Burling, LLP, and clerking for Judge James Wynn, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, and Chief Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Fogwell has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 10 years, most recently as professional staff for the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. She served as deputy chief of staff and legislative director to former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL) and as senior policy advisor to U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA).
Guthrie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsyvlania, and a Master of Business Administration from the American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona. He worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife for more than 25 years. He worked in Washington for 13 years, first for then-Sen. Joe Biden and the last two years at the World Wildlife Fund.
Leaverton has a bachelor's degree in international relations and sustainability from the University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in international relations and sustainability. She worked as an outdoor guide and education and recreation instructor throughout the Southwest. She has worked at the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Economic Impact and has experience as a field organizer for the Iowa, Colorado and Georgia Democratic parties.
Zumwalt has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Wellesley College and a Master of Public Administration in environmental science and policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She most recently worked as a policy analyst at the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere & NOAA Administrator. She has also been an intern at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
