Washington, DC - Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:
- Todd A. Weiler – Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Department of Defense
- Nelson Reyneri – Member, Board of Directors, Overseas Private Investment Corporation
- Kelly Keiderling – Ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Department of State
- Stephen Schwartz – Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Somalia, Department of State
- Raymond G. Farmer – Member, Board of Directors of the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers
- Tom McLeary – Member, Board of Directors of the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers
- Mike Rothman – Member, Board of Directors of the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers
- Heather A. Steinmiller – Member, Board of Directors of the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers
President Obama also announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:
- Thomas M. Gallas – Member, National Capital Planning Commission
- Ethel Brooks – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
- Sara Darehshori – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
- Norman Eisen – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
President Obama said, “I am confident that these experienced and hardworking individuals will help us tackle the important challenges facing America, and I am grateful for their service. I look forward to working with them.”
President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:
Todd A. Weiler, Nominee for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Department of Defense
Todd A. Weiler is Chief Executive Officer of One Hemisphere Ventures, a consulting firm he founded in 2008. From 2009 to 2010, Mr. Weiler also served as Vice President of Computer World Services Corporation. He was Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Arrowpoint Corporation from 2001 to 2008, and Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Communities in Schools from 1999 to 2001. Mr. Weiler was Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs from 1993 to 1999, including service as the Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. He was the White House Liaison at the Department of Defense in 1993. Mr. Weiler was an Aviation Officer in the U.S. Army from 1987 to 1991 and is a combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield. Mr. Weiler received a B.A. from Texas Christian University.
Nelson Reyneri, Nominee for Member, Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
Nelson Reyneri is Senior Vice President of Sales and External Affairs at Liberty Power, a position he has held since 2013. Mr. Reyneri serves on the Board of the National Utility Diversity Council and the National Hispanic Medical Association, positions he has held since 2012 and 2013 respectively. Mr. Reyneri worked at Liberty Power as Vice President of National Account Sales from 2008 to 2013 and Vice President of Government, Regulatory Affairs and External Affairs between 2006 and 2008. Mr. Reyneri worked at the Democratic National Committee as Senior Advisor to the Chairman and as Director of Hispanic Outreach from 2003 to 2005. From 2001 and 2003, Mr. Reyneri was a Professional Staff Member to the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business. Mr. Reyneri served as the Chief of Staff at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation from 1998 to 2001 and was the White House Liaison at the Environmental Protection Agency in 1997. From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Reyneri held various positions at the White House and the Department of Labor. Mr. Reyneri received a B.A. from Boston University, an M.P.A. from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Kelly Keiderling, Nominee for Ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Department of State
Kelly Keiderling, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the Department of State, a position she has held since 2013. Ms. Keiderling served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela from 2011 to 2013, Strategic Language Issues Coordinator in the Bureau for Human Resources in 2010, and Chief of Staff in the Office of Iraq Affairs from 2009 to 2010. Prior to that, she served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, Moldova from 2006 to 2009 and as a Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba from 2003 to 2005. From 2000 to 2003, Ms. Keiderling served as Senior Panama Desk Officer, Acting Deputy Director of the Office of Central American Affairs, and Public Diplomacy Officer for Cuba and the Caribbean in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. She also served as Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana from 1998 to 2000 and at the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan from 1996 to 1998. Her earlier assignments since joining the Foreign Service in 1988 include postings in the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, and Zambia. Ms. Keiderling received a B.S. from Georgetown University and an M.S. from the National Defense University’s National War College.
Stephen Michael Schwartz, Nominee for Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Somalia, Department of State
Stephen Michael Schwartz, a career member of the Foreign Service, class of Counselor, currently serves as Director of the Office of Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Affairs in the Department of State, a position he has held since August 2015. Previously, Mr. Schwartz served as Director of the Office of West African Affairs from 2013 to 2015, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, Zambia from 2010 to 2013, and Deputy Director of the Office of Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands from 2008 to 2010. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius from 2004 to 2007, Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa from 2001 to 2004, and Political-Economic Officer at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba from 1999 to 2001. Mr. Schwartz also served in Washington D.C. as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs from 1998 to 1999 and as Desk Officer in the Office of East African Affairs from 1996 to 1998. His earlier assignments included postings in Kenya, Burundi, and Ethiopia. Before joining the Foreign Service in 1992, Mr. Schwartz served as a Peace Corps Country Desk Officer from 1985 to 1987, as a Country Desk Assistant from 1984 to 1985, and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon from 1981 to 1983. Mr. Schwartz received a B.S. from Miami University, an M.A. from the University of London, and an M.S. from the National Defense University’s National War College.
Raymond G. Farmer, Nominee for Member, Board of Directors of the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers
Raymond G. Farmer is the Director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance, a position he has held since 2012. From 1979 to 2012, he was a Vice President at the American Insurance Association, Southeast Region. From 1972 to 1979, he served as the Deputy Insurance Commissioner of the Enforcement Division of the Georgia Department of Insurance. Prior to this, he was an insurance adjuster at Crawford and Company from 1969 to 1972. Mr. Farmer is currently a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Mr. Farmer received a B.S. from the University of Southern Mississippi and a J.D. from the John Marshall Law School.
Tom McLeary, Nominee for Member, Board of Directors of the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers
Tom McLeary is the President of Endow, Inc., a position he has held since 1978. He was also an agent with Connecticut Mutual Life from 1981 to 1989. Mr. McLeary was an agent and sales manager at Prudential Insurance Company of America from 1965 to 1981, and served on the company’s National Pension Advisory Board from 1979 to 1980. Mr. McLeary is a member of the Executive Committee of the Chicago Minority Business Development Council and the Executive Committee of the Lincoln Park Zoo, where he serves as Vice Chair. He served on the boards of the Chicago Girl Scout Council, the National Minority Business Development Council, the Board of Directors of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. He was a founding member of the Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs. Mr. McLeary received a B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Mike Rothman, Nominee for Member, Board of Directors of the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers
Mike Rothman is the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce and a member of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, positions he has held since 2011. From 2002 to 2010, he worked as Shareholder and as Co-Chair of the Insurance and Financial Services Practice Group of Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A. He was an adjunct professor for Insurance Law and Regulation at the University of Minnesota School of Law from 2005 to 2007. Mr. Rothman was an associate attorney at both Loeb & Loeb in 1996 and at Rubinstein & Perry from 1993 to 1995. From 1993 to 2002, he was a partner and associate attorney at Barger & Wolen in Los Angeles. He served on the staff of the Assistant Senate Majority Leader of the Minnesota State Senate from 1989 to 1992. From 1988 to 1989, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Gary L. Crippen of the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Mr. Rothman received a B.A. from Carleton College and a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School.
Heather A. Steinmiller, Nominee for Member, Board of Directors of the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers
Heather A. Steinmiller is the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Conner Strong & Buckelew Companies, Inc. a position she has held since 2008. From 2006 to 2008, she served as Assistant Vice President and Labor and Employment Counsel for Commerce Bank, North America. From 2000 to 2006, she served as an associate in the Employment, Benefits & Labor Department of Blank Rome, LLP. Ms. Steinmiller currently serves on the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Board and is a member the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers, and the Forum for Executive Women. Ms. Steinmiller received a B.A. from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana and a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law.
President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:
Thomas M. Gallas, Appointee for Member, National Capital Planning Commission
Thomas M. Gallas is Chief Executive Officer of Torti Gallas and Partners, Inc., a position he has held since 2010. Mr. Gallas has held several positions since joining the firm in 1985, including Executive Vice President from 1995 to 2010 and Chief Financial Officer from 1985 to 1995. He was a Consulting Manager at Price Waterhouse from 1980 to 1985. Mr. Gallas serves on the Board of Visitors of the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. He became a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional in 2004. Torti Gallas and Partners, Inc. received a Greengov Presidential Award in 2010 and has received a number of international and national design awards from various entities, including the American Institute of Architects, Congress for the New Urbanism, American Planning Association, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mr. Gallas received a B.S. from the University of Maryland.
Dr. Ethel Brooks, Appointee for Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
Dr. Ethel Brooks is an Associate Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies and Sociology at Rutgers University, where she has held various positions since 2001. Dr. Brooks was Undergraduate Director of Women’s and Gender Studies at Rutgers University from 2012 to 2014. She has been a Tate-TrAIN Transnational Fellow at the University of the Arts London since 2012, where she was also US-UK Fulbright Distinguished Chair from 2011 to 2012. Dr. Brooks serves as a member of a number of boards and commissions, including the USC Shoah Foundation, the European Roma Rights Centre, and the Rutgers Center for Historical Analysis. She also served as a Public Member of the United States Delegation to the Human Dimension Implementation meetings of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and is a member of the United States Delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and its Roma Genocide Working Group. Dr. Brooks received a B.A. from Williams College and a Ph.D. from New York University.
Sara Darehshori, Appointee for Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
Sara Darehshori is Senior Counsel for the U.S. Program at Human Rights Watch, a position she has held since 2011. Ms. Darehshori was also Senior Counsel for the International Justice Program at Human Rights Watch, a position she held from 2005 to 2011. She was an Associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP from 1993 to 2001 and a Legal Officer for the United Nations during the first trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda from 1995 to 1997. Ms. Darehshori was a Caseworker with the International Rescue Committee in Croatia, Sudan, Kenya, and Sierra Leone in 1993 and from 1990 to 1991. Ms. Darehshori received an A.B. from Brown University and a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law.
Norman Eisen, Appointee for Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
Norman Eisen is a Visiting Fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, a position he has held since 2014. He served as U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic from 2011 to 2014. Previously, Mr. Eisen was Special Assistant to the President and Special Counsel to the President for Ethics and Government Reform at the White House, positions he held from 2009 to 2011. He also served as Deputy General Counsel to the Obama-Biden Transition Project from 2008 to 2009. Mr. Eisen was a Partner at Zuckerman Spaeder LLC from 2000 to 2009 and an Associate from 1991 to 1999, and he co-founded Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) in 2000. He was an Assistant Director for the Pacific Southwest Region of the Anti-Defamation League from 1985 to 1988. Mr. Eisen received an A.B. from Brown University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
