The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced additional Biden-Harris administration appointees joining the DOE team to deliver on President Biden’s climate priorities and create a clean energy future for the American people.
“We are thrilled to welcome this diverse group of professionals to a department that is already hard at work to advance President Biden’s bold climate agenda,” said Tarak Shah, chief of staff. “These passionate public servants will bring their energy and talent to deliver an equitable clean energy economy that will create millions of good-paying jobs and benefit workers and communities in all parts of America.”
The newest additions join a growing team that reflects diversity. To date, the DOE’s political appointees include more than 60% who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), 60% as women, and 20% LGBTQ+.
New appointees and their roles are listed below.
Jeremiah Baumann, deputy chief of staff
Jeremiah Baumann was most recently director of federal policy at Energy Innovation, where he worked to build an equitable and just clean energy economy. He previously led efforts focused on state clean energy policies at Bloomberg Philanthropies and served as legislative director for Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), where he supported the senator on the creation of the Rural Energy Savings Program and worked with Oregon and California tribes, farmers, and ranchers on water and energy management in the Klamath River Basin. Originally from Montana and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Baumann holds a BA from Yale University.
Luke Branscum, special assistant, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs
Luke Branscum was most recently the Northwest deputy regional finance director for the Biden-Harris campaign, and previously worked on political campaigns at the municipal, congressional, and presidential levels. He earned his BA in business economics from the University of California, Los Angeles, and is from the Bay Area in California.
Emily Doran, special assistant, Office of Fossil Energy
Emily Doran was most recently the digital organizing director for Joe Biden and the 2020 Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign. Previously, she worked on campaigns in Virginia, Nevada, Colorado, and Georgia and worked as a field organizer for the 2016 Pennsylvania Democratic Coordinated Campaign. A native of Virginia, she graduated from Miami University of Ohio and moved to Washington D.C. where she served two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA.
Lavianna Felder, special assistant, Office of Energy Jobs
Lavianna Felder was most recently the organizing director for the 2020 Georgia Senate runoff elections. She previously worked as the Pennsylvania GOTV director for the 2020 Democratic Coordinated Campaign, as well as the California organizing director for Senator Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign. A native of Philadelphia, Felder got her start in campaigns working on the field teams in the greater Philadelphia area for politicians such as Senator Bob Casey, Governor Tom Wolf, gubernatorial candidate Jim Johnson, and Secretary Hillary Clinton.
Miles Fernandez, director, Office of the Executive Secretariat
Miles Fernandez most recently served as the director of the Office of the Secretary at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and was the youngest member of the party’s leadership team. He previously served as the DNC’s Youth & Seniors deputy engagement director. Fernandez started his career at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. A first generation Filipino-American, Fernandez was the first in his family to graduate from college when he earned a BA from the University of Washington.
Julius Goldberg-Lewis, deputy White House liaison
Julius Goldberg-Lewis most recently served as the outreach manager for the NYC Public Engagement Unit’s Tenant Support Unit, working to connect New Yorkers to vital programs and their government. He also worked as the Expansion States organizing…