WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of the Interior announced new Biden-Harris administration appointees that will join agency leadership with an aim to create jobs in the clean energy economy, steward America’s public lands and waters, pursue environmental justice, and honor nation-to-nation relationships with tribes.
“The Department of the Interior is moving quickly to implement President 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,” said Chief of Staff Rachael Taylor. “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 include:
- 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
- Celeste Zumwalt, Briefing Book Coordinator, Office of the Secretary
Perrin Cooke, Oversight Counsel, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs
Perrin Cooke most recently served as an associate at Covington & Burling. He previously served as a law clerk to Judge James A. Wynn of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit and Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Prior to law school, he served as a legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Kay Hagan and was responsible for issues related to energy and environment, public lands and Indian Affairs.
Courtney Fogwell, Senior Advisor, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks
Courtney Fogwell served in various roles for nearly a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives, most recently as professional staff for the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Prior to this role, she served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to former Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and as senior policy advisor to Representative Adam Schiff.
Jim Guthrie, Senior Advisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Jim Guthrie most recently worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife where he served for more than 25 years, starting out as a legislative liaison before moving to the grants and finance section of the agency. Prior to moving to Colorado, he worked in Washington D.C. for 13 years, first for then-Senator Joe Biden and the last two years at the World Wildlife Fund.
Chloe Leaverton, Special Assistant, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Chloe Leaverton most recently worked throughout the Southwest as an outdoor guide and education and recreation instructor. Previously, she worked at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity. Prior to her work at the Energy Department, she served as a field organizer for the Iowa, Colorado and Georgia Democratic parties.
Celeste Zumwalt, Briefing Book Coordinator, Office of the Secretary
Celeste Zumwalt was most recently a policy analyst at the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere & NOAA Administrator. Prior to joining NOAA, she was an intern at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Zumwalt has worked for Columbia University’s Earth Institute, as a policy consultant to the NAACP, and as a management consultant at Accenture.
