Doug Domenech (’78 B.S. forestry and wildlife), who has held several positions in the Department of the Interior, was nominated by President Trump in June as the department’s Assistant Secretary responsible for the Office of Insular Affairs. The office coordinates federal policy for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It is also responsible for administering and overseeing U.S. federal assistance to the freely associated state of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

“It is a great honor to be nominated for this important position, which helps bridge the distance between Washington, D.C., and our insular areas,” Domenech said. “People living on these often-remote islands face unique challenges relating to economic development, national security, and environmental issues, and it’s important that our neighbors and fellow Americans feel confident in the U.S. government to help address these challenges.”

Domenech currently serves as Senior Advisor to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and as the Secretary’s appointee to the Advisory Council of the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico. He previously served as the Secretary of Natural Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia, overseeing six state environmental, recreation, and historic resource agencies. During the George W. Bush Administration, Domenech served the Interior Department as White House Liaison and as Deputy Chief of Staff, as well as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs.

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