President Obama has had a stellar record of appointing diverse and representative individuals to key positions in his first 15 months in office, including naming more than 100 talented and respected LGBT appointees to top jobs.
Some of the administration's most prominent appointees include John Berry, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Fred Hochberg, chairman of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary for disability employment policy at the U.S. Department of Labor—all of whom are openly LGBT.
The White House continues to turn to the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute (GLLI) and its Presidental Appointments Project, of which the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce® is a partner, for guidance.
"The success of the program has absolutely been positive," said George Walker, vice president of leadership initiatives at the GLLI and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. "This administration has prioritized diversity, and we're delighted to see strong representation of the LGBT community."
And the opportunities to fill vital positions in the administration continue even today. Many posts have yet to be filled, and the second year of any administration results in early departures as appointees look to transfer within government or to outside positions.
Walker said the White House personnel office is currently focusing on specialized, skilled positions, such as management consultants and scientists, though interested candidates should express their interest, even if they are not in one of these specific industries. Additionally, though they are generally not full-time paid positions, there are many appointed positions on boards and advisory panels that often play significant roles in policymaking.
"Many of these [positions] are in the process of being filled right now," Walker said. "We're excited to continue in the identification of key candidates for the boards, commissions and advisory panels."
At the outset of the Presidential Appointments Project, the GLLI set a goal of achieving 100 appointments out of 1,000 applications within one year of the presidential inauguration—it has exceeded both of those goals. The project received more than 1,700 applications. Of the more than 100 appointments of openly LGBT individuals to positions in the Obama administration, about half were due to the success of the Presidential Appointments Project. See who was appointed.
"We are proud of the work of the Presidential Appointments Project, which has brought together thousands of talented, public-service minded LGBT individuals," said Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the NGLCC. "And we applaud the White House for its willingness to see these individuals for who they are, patriotic Americans who are eager to serve their nation."
Walker said LGBT individuals interested in an appointment should "focus on the specific areas of government that best suit their skill set and tailor their resumes to highlight those skills."
"Given that there are many talented, qualified people applying, it helps to have as many people as possible, both inside and outside the administration, pushing your name," Walker said. "Reach out to your contacts and remember that this project is here to help you as well."
Presidential appointments can range from agency staff and directors of boards and commissions to Cabinet secretaries and ambassadors. The complete list of appointed positions can be found in the United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions, also known as the Plum Book.
The Presidential Appointments Project is an ongoing program of the GLLI and its partner organizations on the initiative—the NGLCC, Federal GLOBE, Council for Global Equality, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, Log Cabin Republicans, National Stonewall Democrats, National Black Justice Coalition, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, AFL-CIO Pride at Work, and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.
For more information on the initiative or to apply for a presidential appointment, visit the Presidential Appointments Project page.
