The U.S. Department of Energy announced five new Biden-Harris Administration appointees who will work alongside U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm to pursue President Biden’s goals of 100% clean electricity by 2035 and a net-zero economy by 2050 — two goals that will be accomplished through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. DOE appointees continue to constitute a historically diverse team, and with these appointments comprised of 53% women, 58% people of color, and 17% identifying as LGBTQ+.
“With the President’s historic investments in climate and clean energy, the American people are looking to DOE to deliver on our climate goals to drive energy security and the industries of the future,” said DOE Chief of Staff Christopher Davis. “There is so much work to do, and I am thankful and excited that these new appointees are joining the Department at this crucial time as we work to implement President Biden’s agenda.”
New appointees are listed below:
- Hayley Emerson, Special Assistant to the Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Office of the Secretary
Hayley Emerson previously worked in DOE’s Loan Programs Office, initially as the Executive Assistant to Director Jigar Shah before transitioning to the External Affairs team as a Manager of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement. A Southern California native, Emerson moved from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., where she served as a Biden Fellow on the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Prior to that, Emerson worked for the Creative Artists Agency, Lionsgate, and Babelsberg Film Studios in Berlin, Germany. She co-wrote, co-directed, and co-produced an original musical, “TWINS,” with her identical twin sister. Emerson earned her B.A. in psychology from Washington University in St. Louis.
- Gabriel Hernández, Special Assistant, Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management
Gabriel Hernández previously worked for the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hernández is originally from Pharr, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley and is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Master of Public Administration from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.
- Josh Inaba, Special Assistant, Office of Science
Josh Inaba was previously a Senior Manager at Results for America, supporting government leaders leverage data and evidence to achieve better outcomes for residents. After graduating from Skidmore College, Inaba moved to Washington, D.C., to intern for U.S. Senator Brian Schatz and Oceana, an ocean conservation organization. He was born and raised in Hawaiʻi.
- Jeremy Ortiz, Deputy Press Secretary, Office of Public Affairs
Jeremy Paul Ortiz previously served as U.S. Senator Joe Manchin’s Deputy Press Secretary for the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. During his time on Capitol Hill, Ortiz also served as Professional Development Director for the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association, where he actively worked to recruit, retain, and advance Latino staffers in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. A proud Southern California native, Ortiz attended and graduated from the University of California, Riverside.
- Josh Shiode, Chief of Staff, Office of Science
Josh Shiode was most recently Federal Affairs Director for the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), bringing the lab’s capabilities and expertise to bear on critical national issues. Prior to joining PNNL, Shiode served as Director of Government Affairs for the Semiconductor Industry Association, Senior Government Relations Officer at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the John N. Bahcall Public Policy Fellow of the American Astronomical Society. Shiode holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.A. in physics and astronomy from Boston University.
Click here for the full list of DOE Biden-Harris Administration appointees.
