— By Domani Spero

On May 23, President Obama announced his intent to nominate Daniel Sepulveda – with rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Communications and Information Policy in the Economic and Business Affairs Bureau. The WH released the following brief bio:

Daniel Sepulveda is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Communications and Information Policy, a position he has held since April 2013.  From 2009 to 2013, he was a Senior Advisor in the Office of U.S. Senator John Kerry.  Previously, he was Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Congressional Affairs in the Office of the United States Trade Representative from January 2009 to November 2009.  Before serving in the Obama Administration, he was a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Barack Obama from 2005 to 2008 and U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer from 2001 to 2005.  He served as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs from 2000 to 2001 and Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Policy from 1999 to 2000 at the U.S. Department of Labor.  From 1997 to 1999, he was a Policy Analyst with the National Council of La Raza.

Mr. Sepulveda received a B.A. from Emory University and an M.P.A. from the University of Texas in Austin where he studied as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow in Public Policy and International Affairs.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary of State normally would not require a Senate confirmation, but since this one carries an ambassador rank, it does. Longer bio here.

Al Kamen’s In the Loop on this appointment:

The Clinton State Department had Washington power couple Phil and Melanne Verveer in senior positions: she as ambassador-at-large for global women’s issues and he as coordinator of international communications and information policy.

Sepulveda is the long-time (some 14 years) boyfriend of Heather Higginbottom, former deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget who Kerry tapped as his counselor.

Active links added above.  The Orlando Sentinel also has a recent article on Mr. Sepulveda including his bout with testicular cancer at age 23 and the couple’s upcoming  wedding this month.   Read it here.

(‘_’)

Related item:

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts | May 23, 2013