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WASHINGTON DC – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced that new people appointed by the Biden-Harris administration have joined the team to help fight climate change and build a more prosperous clean energy future and more equitable. With these new hires, DOE appointees form a historically diverse team with 58% women, 58% BIPOC, and 21% employees identifying as LGBTQ +.
“The Department of Energy is building a team of talented and dedicated officials who are well positioned to meet President Biden’s climate goals and deploy historic levels of clean energy infrastructure across the country,” he said. declared Chief of Staff Tarak Shah. “These appointees bring diverse experience and expertise that will expand our ability to tackle the climate crisis and forge a clean energy future with well-paying jobs, resilient climate solutions and hope for future generations. ”
The new appointees and their roles are listed below:
Matt Baca, Director of Planning and Advance, Office of Management
Matt Baca is a project manager and event producer with nearly a decade of experience in advocacy and political campaigns. Previously, he worked as Advance director for Pete Buttigieg’s presidential primary campaign, and prior to that he was responsible for press advancement in the Obama White House. Baca holds a BA Honors from DePaul University.
Christian Bato, Regional Intergovernmental and External Affairs Specialist for the South West, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs
Christian Bato recently worked for US Senator Catherine Cortez Masto in her Las Vegas office. Previously, he was the director of the Nevada coalitions for the Biden-Harris campaign. He began his career working for SEIU’s iAmerica, which advocated for immigrant justice in the AAPI and Latino communities. Bato is originally from Rancho Cucamonga, California and holds a BA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is the proud son of Filipino immigrants.
Julie Cerqueira, Deputy Principal Under-Secretary, Office of International Affairs
Julie Cerqueria most recently served as Executive Director of the US Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of governors working together to advance the most ambitious state climate agenda in our country’s history. Previously, she was Senior Advisor to the Special Envoy for Climate Change at the US State Department, where she led the US engagement in strategic partnerships. Prior to his work in the federal government, Cerqueira worked with developing countries to design and implement climate policies and financial instruments at the climate think tank Center for Clean Air Policy, advised US companies at the American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia to expand US investment abroad. , and served as a US Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines, working with teachers and farmers to promote economic development and environmental stewardship. She holds an MA in International Political Economy and Development from Fordham University and a BA in Biotechnology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Torend Collins, Regional Intergovernmental and External Affairs Specialist for Appalachians, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs
Torend L. Collins most recently served as Program Coordinator in the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Florida office, synthesizing research on issues and performing policy analysis to advance the clean energy agenda and EDF’s strategic communications across the State. Previously, she worked as an environmental coordinator for the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District, implementing programs and initiatives focused on improving air quality in Louisville. Collins received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Spelman College and a doctorate in law and a master’s degree in environmental law and policy from Vermont Law School.
Arjun Krishnaswami, Special Advisor to the Chief Financial Officer, Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Arjun Krishnaswami was most recently the Climate Policy Officer for Innovation at the Natural Resources Defense Council, where he worked to advance strong federal policy to build a fair and equitable economy, promote innovation in environmental issues. clean energy and tackling the climate crisis. Krishnaswami previously served on the political team for the Biden-Harris Transition Team. He holds a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering and a bachelor’s degree in environmental systems engineering from Stanford University.
Ramzey Smith, Deputy Press Secretary
Ramzey Smith was most recently director of public affairs at SKDKnickerbocker after serving as spokesperson for the Biden-Harris presidential transition and director of African-American media with the Biden-Harris campaign. Previously, he worked at Howard University as a Senior Communications Specialist and Feldman Strategies as a Communications Associate. Smith began his career as a television news producer in Fort Myers, Orlando, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. He is proud to be a graduate of Florida A&M; University and a BS in Journalism.
Rose Stephens-Booker, Regional Intergovernmental and External Affairs Specialist for the West, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs
Rose Stephens-Booker was most recently Senior Associate at BlocPower, where she developed and managed their partnering strategy to bring clean energy technology solutions to the most vulnerable and underserved communities across America. Previously, she led efforts focused on energy efficiency and market transformation through public-private partnerships as a program manager for the ENERGY STAR program of the US Environmental Protection Agency. Stephens-Booker started her career as an environmental consultant at the nexus between climate, energy and the business community on issue-oriented awareness campaigns for various stakeholders. Originally from Virginia, she holds a BA in Environmental Policy from Roanoke College and an MBA from Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC.
Spencer Thibodeau, Regional Intergovernmental and External Affairs Specialist for the Northeast, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs
Spencer Thibodeau is a lawyer and a public servant. He has practiced law with the real estate practice group of Portland, Maine-based law firm Verrill Dana, LLP for the past eight years. Thibodeau was a Portland, Maine, city councilor for nearly six years, where he chaired the Housing and Economic Development Committee and the Sustainability and Transportation Committee. Thibodeau was previously Maine’s senior adviser for the Biden-Harris presidential campaign. He has served on several boards and committees, including United Way of Greater Portland and the Maine Climate Council Equity Sub-Committee, and was a member of Maine Governor Janet T.’s transition team. Mills in 2019. Thibodeau is a proud graduate of Fairfield University and Northeastern University Law School.