Interior Secretary Zinke Applauds President Trump’s Nomination of Doug Domenech as Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Interior Department veteran Douglas William Domenech as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Areas.

"I am excited to announce that the President and I have selected Doug Domenech to lead the Administration’s initiatives in the insular areas," said Secretary Zinke. "Domenech’s experience serving former Interior Secretaries Gale Norton and Dirk Kempthorne, his passion for the people and priorities in the islands, and his previous service in state and federal government combine to make him the ideal candidate for this position."

“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,” said Domenech. “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. I look forward to working with representatives from each of these islands in the coming years to find innovative solutions to the challenges we all face ​together.”

The Office of Assistant Secretary Insular Areas 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. In addition, the Office is responsible for administering and overseeing U.S. federal assistance to the freely associated states of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

"I applaud the President's and Secretary Zinke’s selection of Doug to this important position," said former Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne. "Our Nation's territories and freely associated states are integral to the fabric of the American family. Doug's experience with insular issues makes him an excellent choice."

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Domenech, whose family is from Puerto Rico, holds a BS in Forestry and Wildlife Management from Virginia Tech University and currently serves as Senior Advisor to Interior Secretary Zinke. Previously, he 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 as White House Liaison and Deputy Chief of Staff to Secretaries Norton and Kempthorne. In addition, he served as the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas. Domenech currently serves as the Secretary’s appointee to the Advisory Council of the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico.

Domenech’s nomination has been endorsed by all four Governors of the U.S. territories; USVI Governor Kenneth Mapp, American Samoa Governor Lolo Moliga, Guam Governor Eddie Calvo, and CNMI Governor Ralph Torres.

"I commend President Trump and Secretary Zinke on an exceptional choice for this important position to the U.S. Insular Areas,” said CNMI Governor Ralph Torres. “Doug Domenech is well-versed in the issues facing our islands and has notable experience in the issues specific to the Northern Mariana Islands. I offer my full support for Mr. Domenech's nomination and look forward to working with him when he assumes this new position."

“I have seen first-hand Doug's love of island ecosystems and their protection," said Fernando Lloveras, Executive Director of the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico. "I am confident he will bring this special concern to the other insular areas."

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