Press Release - President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

• Dimitri Kusnezov – Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy
• Matthew Lehrich – Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach, Department of Education
• Amy McIntosh – Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, Department of Education
• Ann Whalen – Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education

President Obama said, "These fine public servants bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their important roles. I look forward to working with them."

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Dimitri Kusnezov, Nominee for Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy

Dimitri Kusnezov serves as Chief Scientist at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a position he has held since 2010.  Mr. Kusnezov previously served in multiple positions within the NNSA, including Acting Chief Information Officer in 2013, Director of the Office of Science and Policy from 2010 to 2015, Director of the Office of Research and Development for National Security Science and Technology from 2008 to 2010, Acting Director of the Office of Defense Science from 2005 to 2006, Director of the Office of Advanced Simulation and Computing from 2003 to 2008, and Program Manager for Physics & Materials Models, ASCI Program from 2001 to 2003. Prior to this, he served in a number of positions at Yale University, including Associate Professor of Physics from 1996 to 2001, Assistant Professor of Physics from 1991 to 1996 and as a visiting researcher from 2001 to 2015. Mr. Kusnezov was an instructor in Physics at Michigan State University from 1990 to 1991 as well as a Post-doctoral Associate from 1988 to 1990 at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. Mr. Kusnezov was a visiting researcher for Institut für Kernphysik, KFA-Jülich in Germany in 1983. Mr. Kusnezov received a B.A. from University of California, Berkeley and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Princeton University.

Matthew Lehrich, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach, Department of Education

Matthew Lehrich is the Communications Director at the Department of Education (DoED), a position he has held since February 2016. Previously, he served as Strategic Advisor to the Secretary for Communications at DoED. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Global Reputation Management and Crisis Communications at Porter Novelli from 2014 to 2015. From 2009 to 2014, he held multiple positions at the White House, including Assistant Press Secretary from 2011 to 2014, Regional Communications Director from 2010 to 2011, and Deputy Director of Response from 2009 to 2010. Mr. Lehrich held many positions for Obama for America from 2007 to 2008, including Deputy New Hampshire Press Secretary and Wisconsin Press Secretary. Mr. Lehrich received a B.A. from Boston University.

Amy McIntosh, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, Department of Education

Amy McIntosh is Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development at the Department of Education (DOEd), a role she has held since 2014. Prior to joining DOEd, Ms. McIntosh was a Senior Fellow for Teacher and Leader Effectiveness at the New York State Department of Education Regents Research Fund from 2010 to 2013. From 2004 to 2010, she worked in the New York City Department of Education, first in the Chancellor's office from 2004 to 2006 and then as Chief of Talent and New Initiatives. From 2002 to 2004, Ms. McIntosh was a Senior Vice President and Officer for Dun & Bradstreet, where she led product management and marketing. She was CEO of Zagat Survey from 2000 to 2002. From 1998 to 2000, she served as President and General Manager for Consumer Internet Business for Verizon, following Vice President of Marketing roles with Bell Atlantic and NYNEX from 1995 to 1998. Ms. McIntosh held several marketing and operations positions at American Express Company from 1984 to 1995, finishing as Senior Vice President of Marketing in Consumer Card Group from 1994 to 1995. She began her career as a Research Analyst at Bain and Company from 1980 to 1982. Ms. McIntosh received a B.A. from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Ann Whalen, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education

Ann Whalen is Senior Advisor to the Secretary in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the Department of Education, a position she has held since 2015. From 2014 to 2015, Ms. Whalen served as Director of Policy at Education Post. Prior to that, Ms. Whalen served in various roles at the Department of Education, first as a Special Assistant in the Office of the Secretary from 2009 to 2010, then as the Director of the Implementation and Support Unit from 2010 to 2014. Before she joined the Administration, Ms. Whalen served as Deputy to the Chief Education Officer at Chicago Public Schools from 2006 to 2009 and as the Deputy Director of Special Initiatives for the Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools from 2003 to 2006. From 2002 to 2003, she was a Project Administrator at the Chicago Department of Planning and Development. Ms. Whalen received a B.A. from Stanford University.