Interior Department Announces Additional Biden-Harris Appointees

Date: Thursday, April 21, 2022 
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior today announced new Biden-Harris administration appointees who will join the Department’s leadership team to create jobs in the clean energy economy, steward America’s public lands and waters, and honor our nation-to-nation relationship with Tribes.

“I am thrilled to welcome a new group of talented and accomplished individuals to the Interior leadership team. As Interior works across America to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other critical investments that will benefit communities, ecosystems and wildlife, these leaders will offer tremendous support, perspectives and vision,” said Chief of Staff Rachael Taylor.

Interior’s political team proudly reflects the diversity of America, with more than 50 percent identifying as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous or people of color) and more than 60 percent as women or nonbinary.

The appointees are listed below in alphabetical order:

• Tracy Goodluck, Senior Advisor, Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs
• Kathryn E. Kovacs, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management
• Sally Tucker, Senior Advisor for Infrastructure Communications
• Joel West Williams, Deputy Solicitor for Indian Affairs

Tracy Goodluck, Senior Advisor, Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs

Tracy Canard Goodluck is a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and is also Mvskoke Creek. She most recently completed details at the White House’s Domestic Policy Council and Council on Native American Affairs. Previously, Tracy served as deputy director of the Interior Department’s Indian Water Rights Office. She is a former classroom teacher, school administrator and co-founder of the Native American Community Academy. Tracy holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College, a master’s degree in teaching from the University of Washington, and a Juris Doctorate and Certificate in Indian Law from the University of New Mexico.

Kathryn E. Kovacs, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management

Kathryn E. Kovacs was most recently a professor of law at Rutgers University. Prior to joining Rutgers in 2011, she spent twelve years in the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, Appellate Section. In 2016, Kathryn served as senior advisor to the director of the Bureau of Land Management. She’s also served in the Baltimore City Law Department as an attorney and clerked for former Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals Robert C. Murphy. Kathryn is a graduate of Yale University and the Georgetown University Law Center. 

Sally Tucker, Senior Advisor for Infrastructure Communications

Sally Tucker most recently served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director for Congressman Joe Neguse, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. In that role, she led communications efforts related to conserving America’s public lands, investing in wildfire prevention and mitigation, supporting federal wildland firefighters and tackling the climate crisis. In 2020 she served as the Colorado Press Secretary for the Biden for President campaign. Previously, she worked on Congresswoman Susan Wild’s 2018 congressional race and at the Center for American Progress.

Joel West Williams, Deputy Solicitor for Indian Affairs

Joel West Williams is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Naropa University, a Juris Doctorate from Widener University Delaware Law School, and a Master of Laws in environmental law from Vermont Law School. Most recently, he was an attorney with the Native American Rights Fund (NARF). Prior to that, Joel was assistant counsel with the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of General Counsel and senior legislative officer with the Cherokee Nation. He is a former president of the National Native American Bar Association and has taught at Vermont Law School and NYU School of Law.

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