List of Obama's Czars August 17, 2009 - 0:26 ET As of July 20, 2009: • The Brainroom counts 32 czars in the Obama administration, _base_d on media reports from reputable sources that have identified the official in question as a czar. • In addition, President Obama has said that he will create the position of cyber czar, and there have been media reports that there could be a health insurance czar and a copyright czar. When and if those positions are filled, that would bring the total to 35. • Since czar isn't an official job _title_, the number is somewhat in the eye of the beholder. NOTE: positions that also existed under previous administrations are indicated with an *. 1. Afghanistan Czar - Richard Holbrooke _title_: Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Salary: unknown Reports to: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Appointed: January 2009 Department that might have handled similar issues: State • Will work with CENTCOM head Gen. David Petraeus to integrate U.S. civilian and military efforts in the region. • 45 years of experience have made him a fixture of the Democrats' foreign policy establishment. • Was U.S. ambassador to U.N., 1999-2001 • Brokered the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords in Bosnia • Also served as Assistant secretary of state, East Asia and the Pacific (1976 to 1980); worked in foreign service (1962 to 1976) • From 1972 through 1976, was the editor of Foreign Policy magazine. 2. AIDS Czar * - Jeffrey Crowley _title_: Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy Salary: $102,000 Reports to: President Obama (as part of the Executive Office of the President’s Domestic Policy Council) Appointed: February 2009 Department that might have handled similar issues: Health and Human Services • Coordinates HIV/AIDS policy domestically and internationally. • Senior Research Scholar at Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute and a Senior Scholar at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University Law Center. • Was Deputy Executive Director for Programs at the National Association of People with AIDS • Has Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health 3. Auto Recovery Czar - Ed Montgomery _title_: Director of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers Salary: unknown Reports to: Larry Summers, the president's top economic adviser, and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis Appointed: March 2009 Department that might have handled similar issues: Labor • Will work to leverage government resources to support the workers, communities and regions that rely on the American auto industry. • Was Deputy Secretary and Chief Economist at the Labor Department (1997 to 1998) • Is Dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the University of Maryland (2003 to present) • Has PhD in economics from Harvard • In 2008, made $1,200 in political donations, all of which went to Obama’s presidential campaign. • Wife is the granddaughter of a General Motors worker from Portland, Mich. • Drives a 2000 Lincoln 4. Border Czar * - Alan Bersin _title_: Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Special Representative for Border Affairs Salary: unknown Reports to: Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano Appointed: April 2009 Agencies that might have handled similar issues: Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) • Will coordinate all of the department's border security and law- enforcement efforts. • Essentially had the same job under President Clinton; served as Attorney General Janet Reno's special representative on border issues, a job that he held while retaining the position of U.S. attorney for San Diego. • This time, boss will be Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who will expect him to handle illegal immigration and drug violence issues along the Mexican-American border • Previous experience: Chairman of the San Diego Regional Airport Authority (2006 to 2009); Secretary of Education for California (2005 to 2006); Superintendent of San Diego Public Schools (1998 to 2005); U.S. Attorney for San Diego (1993 to 1998) • Graduate of Harvard and Yale Law School • Talking about border security shortly before he was named Clinton border czar in 1995, said he wanted to focus on suspected smugglers of both drugs and people and was not interested in prosecuting “economic migrants.” • Often tied to the 1994 border policy called “Operation Gatekeeper.” The policy shifted the U.S. focus from the arresting of immigrants who actually crossed the border to an increased border presence designed to stop border crossing in the first place. When Bersin left the position in 1998, border arrests were on pace for an 18-year low of just more than 200,000. Latino groups complained that Operation Gatekeeper was immoral, saying the program monitored the border near San Diego but simply forced illegal immigrants to other, more dangerous areas. • Has given more than $50,000 to political campaigns since 1999, almost all of it to Democrats. 5. California Water Czar - David J. Hayes _title_: Deputy Interior Secretary Salary: unknown Reports to: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar Appointed: June 2009 Confirmed by Senate (as Deputy Interior Security): May 20, 2009 Department that might have handled similar issues: Interior • Charged with coordinating federal agencies to ease California's water shortage • Graduate of Stanford Law School; clerked for U.S. District Court for the D.C., has been a partner at two big D.C. law firms • Was deputy interior secretary under Bruce Babbitt during Clinton administration • From 1993 to 1995, was chairman of the board at the Environmental Law Institute, a non-profit research center. • As a lobbyist, represented the Southern California Metropolitan Water District in 2001 • In August 2008, wrote a policy report while working at the Progressive Policy Institute accusing the Bush administration of leaving a “damaging legacy” in their natural resource management policies • Donated $2,300 to Clinton during 2008 campaign; after she withdrew, donated $2,300 to Obama 6. Car Czar - Ron Bloom NOTE: on July 13, 2009, Bloom took over as head of the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, replacing Steven Rattner _title_: Counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury Salary: unknown Reports to: Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Economic Council head Larry Summers Appointed: July 2009 Department that might have handled similar issues: Treasury • A leader of the White House task force overseeing auto company bailouts; worked on restructuring of General Motors and Chrysler LLC. • Was special assistant to president of the United Steelworkers union from 1996-Feb 2009 • Has negotiated restructuring deals for more than 50 companies, getting major concessions from unions and companies. • Was raised in New York in a pro-union family, which included a schoolteacher mother and unionized relatives. • After working for the Service Employees International Union, got an MBA from Harvard University because he thought unions lacked business smarts, he said in a 1996 interview in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. • From 1985 to 1990, he worked as an investment banker with Lazard Freres & Co., which specializes in mergers, acquisitions and corporate restructuring, before co-founding the investment-banking firm Keilin and Bloom. 7. Central Region Czar - Dennis Ross _title_: Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the Central Region (encompasses the Middle East, the Gulf, Afghanistan, Pakistan and South Asia) Salary: unknown Reports to: National Security Adviser Gen. James L. Jones Appointed: June 2009 Department that might have handled similar issues: State • Spent 12 years in the George H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations trying to create a permanent agreement between the governments of Israel and the Palestinian territories • In 1981, was named to President Ronald Reagan’s national security staff as the director of Near East and South Asian Affairs. • Was director of the State Department’s Policy Planning office during President George H. W. Bush’s term. • 1993: appointed to the position of Middle East coordinator, making him the top negotiator for peace between Israel and Palestinian territories • After he left government in 2000, headed up Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a hawkish think tank with a pro-Israeli bent 8. Climate Czar - Todd Stern _title_: Special Envoy for Climate Change Salary: unknown Reports to: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Appointed: January 2009 Agency or department that might have handled similar issues: Environmental Protection Agency; State • Responsible for developing international approaches to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. • Served in the Clinton White House from 1993 to 1999; Was Head of the Initiative on Global Climate Change (1997 to 1999) and Adviser to the Secretary of the Treasury (1999 to 2001) • As a top aide to President Clinton, helped negotiate the Kyoto and Buenos Aires climate pacts, both of which fell apart partially because of a lack of U.S. support during Bush administration. • After Bush was elected to office, went to the Wilmer Hale law firm, where he is a partner in the regulatory and government affairs division. • Was most recently a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, where he focused on climate change and environmental issues. • Has written extensively on climate change, and has called on the American government and the international community to take a series of steps to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. • Supports a national cap-and-trade system that would limit carbon emissions and reduce U.S. dependency on foreign oil • Has law degree from Harvard 9. Domestic Violence Czar - Lynn Rosenthal _title_: White House adviser on Violence Against Women Salary: unknown Reports to: President Obama and Vice President Biden Appointed: June 2009 Department that might have handled similar issues: Health and Human Services • Will advise the President and Vice President on domestic violence and sexual assault issues. • 2000-2006: served as the Executive Director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence • Was an advocate for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in 2000 and 2005 and has assisted states and local communities with implementation of this federal legislation • Was director of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence 10. Drug Czar * - Gil Kerlikowske _title_: Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Salary: unknown Reports to: President Obama Appointed: March 2009 Confirmed by Senate: May 7, 2009 Department that might have handled similar issues: Justice • Directs drug-control policy in the U.S.; is expected to shift drug policy to intervention, treatment and a reduction of problem drug use. • Was police chief for the city of Seattle from 2000-2009 • Was Deputy Director of the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (1998 to 2000); Police Chief for the city of Buffalo (1994 to 1998); Police chief of Fort Pierce, Fla. (N/A to 1994) • A strong gun-control advocate, urged both the Washington legislature and the U.S. Congress to pass an assault-weapons ban and has worked to close the loophole that doesn't require background checks at gun shows • 2003: admitted that busting people for personal marijuana possession was not a top priority of the Seattle police department. • As Seattle police chief, assigned an officer full-time to the drug court, which commuted sentences of drug users who complete medical treatment in lieu of going to jail. 11. Economic Czar * - Paul Volcker _title_: Chairman of the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board Salary: Volcker reportedly isn't paid for his advice. Reports to: President Obama Appointed: January 2009 Department that might have handled similar issues: Treasury • Charged with offering independent, nonpartisan information, analysis, and advice to the President as he formulates and implements his plans for economic recovery. • Some reports say he's been marginalized by Larry Summers. • Former Federal Reserve chairman (1979-1987) • Was Undersecretary for Monetary Affairs, Department of the Treasury (1969 to 1974); Deputy Undersecretary for Monetary Affairs, Department of the Treasury (1963 to 1965) • Gave Obama campaign $2,300 in 2008. 12. Energy and Environment Czar - Carol Browner _title_: Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Salary: $172,200 Reports to: President Obama Appointed: January 2009 Agency that might have handled similar issues: EPA • Coordinates energy and climate policy, emphasizing regulation and conservation. • Was Environmental Protection Agency administrator in the Clinton administration (1993-2000) • Was Florida Secretary of the Environment (1991 to 1993) • Founded and continues to serve as a principal of The Albright Group LLC, a global strategy firm led by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Also a principal of Albright Capital Management, an investment advisory firm that concentrates on emerging markets. • Worked on the Socialist International's Commission for a Sustainable World Society, which argues that the global community must work collectively to address environmental policies • Described Bush administration as the worst environmental administration ever • While orchestrating private discussions between the White House and auto industry officials on vehicle fuel efficiency standards, kept the talks as quiet as possible. Mary Nichols, the head of the California Air Resources Board, said, We put nothing in writing, ever. • 2003: A federal judge held the Environmental Protection Agency in contempt for destroying computer files during the Clinton administration that had been sought by a conservative legal foundation. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth also ordered the EPA to pay the Landmark Legal Foundation's legal fees and costs because the agency disobeyed his order to preserve the electronic records of Browner, the former EPA chief. 13. Faith-_base_d Czar * - Joshua DuBois _title_: Director of the Office of Faith _base_d and Neighborhood Partnerships Salary: $98,000 Reports to: President Obama Appointed: February 2009 Department that might have handled similar issues: Health and Human Services • Acts as a liaison between faith and secular community groups and the White House, often partnering with them to tackle social issues. Helps these groups apply for federal grants available to them. • Is 26 years old • Has master’s in public affairs from Princeton University; served as associate pastor • Worked for Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.) as an intern and then as a fellow for Rep. Charles B. Rangel (DN. Y.). • Hired as a legislative correspondent in Obama’s Senate office in May 2005 • In 2008, at the age of 25, was appointed director of religious affairs for the Obama campaign. 14. Government Performance Czar - Jeffrey Zients _title_: Chief Performance Officer Salary: unknown Reports to: Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orzag Appointed: April 2009 Confirmed by the Senate (as deputy director for management for the OM: June 19, 2009 Agency that might have handled similar issues: OMB • Charged with cutting costs and finding best practices throughout government. • Has never worked in government before • Was a chief executive and former management consultant • Was founder of Portfolio Logic (2004 to present); Partner of the Washington _base_ball Club (2004 to 2006); CEO of the Advisory Board (1998 to 2004) • Has donated just over $90,000 to political campaigns since 1999, almost all of which went to Democratic candidates 15. Great Lakes Czar - Cameron Davis _title_: Special advisor to the U.S. EPA overseeing its Great Lakes restoration plan Salary: unknown Reports to: Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson Appointed: June 2009 Agency that might have handled similar issues: Environmental Protection Agency • Oversees the administration's initiative to restore the Great Lakes' environment. • President of the Chicago-_base_d environmentalist group Alliance for the Great Lakes • Was a litigating attorney and served as an adjunct clinical assistant professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School. • Served with the United Nations Environment Program in Nairobi, Kenya, where he worked on the Montreal Protocol to protect the Earth’s ozone _layer_, and U.S. EPA’s Office of Regional Counsel in Chicago. 16. Green Jobs Czar - Van Jones _title_: Special Adviser for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality Salary: unknown Reports to: Head of Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley Appointed: March 2009 Agency or department that might have handled similar issues: Environmental Protection Agency; Labor • Will focus on environmentally-friendly employment within the administration and boost support for the idea nationwide • Rose from near obscurity in the Oakland, Calif., grassroots organizing scene to the leader of a national movement to spur the green economy. • Founded Green For All, an organization focused on creating green jobs in impoverished areas • Also co-founder of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and Color of Change, which includes Bay Area PoliceWatch, a group devoted to protect[ing] the community from police misconduct • Published New York Times best-seller The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems, in October 2008 • Started career as a prison-reform advocate in Oakland, Calif., lobbying for reform of the juvenile justice system and youth-violence prevention programs • Has law degree from Yale • 2007: worked on the Green Jobs Act with then-Rep. Hilda Solis (D- Calif.), who co-sponsored the bill in the House • 1993: was arrested at the Los Angeles riots that followed the acquittal of cops in the Rodney King beating. I was arrested simply for being a police observer, says Jones, who had just graduated from Yale Law School and was working with the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights in San Francisco. • 1999: was arrested in the 1999 Seattle protests against the World Trade Organization • Excerpt from a Nov. 2005 interview in the East Bay Express: Jones had planned to move to Washington, DC, and had already landed a job and an apartment there. But in jail, he said, I met all these young radical people of color