News
Berry, Bond secure positions in Obama administration
Wed, Jan 14th 2009, 16:32Two openly gay men, John Berry and Brian Bond, have secured high-profile spots in the Obama administration. Berry is strongly favored to head the Office of Personnel Management while Bond will serve in the White House Office of the Public Liaison.
The Washington Post reported that President-elect Barack Obama intends to nominate John Berry as director of the Office of Personnel Management. Berry served in the Clinton administration as Assistant Interior Secretary and is currently the director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. He would be the first openly gay director of OPM and one of the highest-ranking openly gay presidential appointees in history.
Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund, praised the selection. “It says a lot about Barack Obama’s commitment to equality in the workplace that he has apparently chosen an openly gay person for this extremely important job. John has dedicated his career to public service, so it makes sense that he will be able help thousands of others who are willing to do the same.”
In addition, Obama selected former Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund executive director Brian Bond to serve as the deputy director of the White House Office of the Public Liaison. Bond led the organization from 1997 to 2003.
In his role with the administration, Bond will have managerial and strategic responsibilities for the entire Public Liaison office as well as function as the point person on LGBT issues.
“Brian Bond is a true champion for LGBT Americans. His service to his country and this community, both at the Victory Fund and in the Democratic Party, will now continue in the White House. I congratulate Brian and President-elect Obama on this outstanding appointment,” said Chuck Wolfe,
