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  6. Statement by Secretary Johnson on President Obama's Intent to Nominate Two DHS Senior Leadership Positions

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Statement by Secretary Johnson on President Obama's Intent to Nominate Two DHS Senior Leadership Positions

Release Date: August 29, 2014

For Immediate Release
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010

I am pleased that President Obama has announced his intent to nominate Sarah Saldaña to be Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Russell Deyo to be Under Secretary for Management—two vital leadership positions at the Department of Homeland Security. Ms. Saldaña and Mr. Deyo are outstanding nominees who have experience working in both the public and private sectors and I urge the Senate to move expeditiously on their confirmation.

Security is one of the most important promises our democracy, or any government, can provide to its people, and it begins with strong leadership. Just before I took office in December, there were numerous vacancies at the senior-most levels of the Department. Since then, including my own confirmation, there have been eight Senate-confirmed appointments to senior-level positions within the Department, and these two positions are the only ones that have not been filled or had a nominee previously. These two nominations represent the last two positions to be put forward for Senate confirmation within the Department. I am grateful for the Senate’s support for filling important positions across the Department and urge their continued commitment to maintaining strong leadership at DHS by swiftly confirming these nominees.

Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Sarah R. Saldaña is the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, a position she has held since 2011.  She also serves as a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee.  Previously, Ms. Saldaña was the Deputy Criminal Chief for the Fraud and Public Corruption section of the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.  From 1985 to 1999, she was an Attorney at Haynes and Boone, LLP and Baker Botts LLP.  She clerked for Judge Harold Barefoot Sanders at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas from 1984 to 1985.  From 1974 to 1981, she worked for several federal agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Ms. Saldaña received a B.A. from Texas A&I University and a J.D. from Southern Methodist University.

Under Secretary for Management

Russell C. Deyo retired from Johnson & Johnson in 2012 after 27 years of service.  During his tenure, he held a number of positions, including Vice President, General Counsel, and for sixteen years served as a member of the Executive Committee, the Company’s principal management group for global operations.  He was also Vice President of Administration from 1996 to 2004, overseeing human resources and procurement for the entire Company.  Mr. Deyo served as Associate General Counsel for Litigation from 1991 to 1996.  From 1986 through 1996, he also served on management boards of several Johnson & Johnson consumer and pharmaceutical operating companies.  Prior to Johnson & Johnson, Mr. Deyo was an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1978 to 1985, serving the last three years as Chief of Special Prosecutions.  From 1977 to 1978, Mr. Deyo was an attorney at Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler.  He clerked for The Honorable John B. Hannum of the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia from 1976 to 1977.  He received a B.A. from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

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Last Updated: 09/20/2018
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