Interior Department Welcomes New Biden-Harris Appointees

Date: Monday, August 29, 2022
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

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

“The Department of the Interior is moving quickly to implement President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to achieve the Administration’s ambitious goals to tackle the climate crisis while lowering costs for working families and creating good-paying jobs,” said Chief of Staff Rachael Taylor. “We are thrilled to welcome our new team members who will play key roles in achieving Interior’s mission and delivering results for the American people.”

The appointees are listed below in alphabetical order:

• Perrin Cooke, Oversight Counsel, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs
• Courtney Fogwell, Senior Advisor, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks
• Jim Guthrie, Senior Advisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Chloe Leaverton, Special Assistant, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Celeste Zumwalt, Briefing Book Coordinator, Office of the Secretary

Perrin Cooke, Oversight Counsel, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs

Perrin Cooke most recently served as an associate at Covington & Burling LLP. He previously served as a law clerk to Judge James A. Wynn of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit and Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Prior to law school, he served as a legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Kay Hagan and was responsible for issues related to energy and environment, public lands and Indian Affairs. Perrin is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia Law School.

Courtney Fogwell, Senior Advisor, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks

Courtney Fogwell served in various roles for nearly a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives, most recently as professional staff for the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Prior to this role, she served as deputy chief of staff and legislative director to former Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and as senior policy advisor to Representative Adam Schiff. Courtney holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.

Jim Guthrie, Senior Advisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Jim Guthrie most recently worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife where he served for more than 25 years, starting out as a legislative liaison before moving to the grants and finance section of the agency. Prior to moving to Colorado, he worked in Washington D.C. for 13 years, first for then-Senator Joe Biden and the last two years at the World Wildlife Fund. Jim has a Bachelor of Arts in government from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration from the American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona.

Chloe Leaverton, Special Assistant, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Chloe Leaverton most recently worked throughout the Southwest as an outdoor guide and education and recreation instructor. Previously, she worked at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity. Prior to her work at the Energy Department, she served as a field organizer for the Iowa, Colorado and Georgia Democratic parties. Chloe graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in international relations and sustainability. 

Celeste Zumwalt, Briefing Book Coordinator, Office of the Secretary

Celeste Zumwalt was most recently a policy analyst at the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere & NOAA Administrator. Prior to joining NOAA, she was an intern at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Celeste has worked for Columbia University’s Earth Institute, as a policy consultant to the NAACP, and as a management consultant at Accenture. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Wellesley College and a Master of Public Administration in environmental science and policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

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