It will be a difficult task finding anything politically onerous about Sally Jewell. She is an unfamiliar face to most of us and definitely an Washington Outsider. In fact, she is not a politician. She is the CEO of REI, an outdoor outfitting company. Now she has been selected by President Obama has the Secretary of the Interior.
Washington Post:
President Obama’s unconventional pick to lead the Interior Department — a former oil engineer and commercial banker who heads the consumer co-op Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) — represents an effort by the administration to defuse the partisan fight over conservation and energy.
Jewell, who lacks the political experience of previous interior secretaries, will be challenged to rebuild a national consensus over protecting public lands. But friends and colleagues describe her as a pragmatic business leader who could work with both parties and interest groups on all sides.
Jewell also sits on the board of directors for several environmental groups. She is an outdoor enthusiast and has been to Antarctica and has climbed Mt. Rainier several times, just to bring a little street cred to the table. Yet her background is solidly grounded in fossil fuels and banking. She seems to cover all the bases in her areas of expertise.
My greatest hope is that she will prioritize National Parks, which are some of our greatest resources. Many have fallen into ill- repair during the past 13 years. It is time to give them a face lift.
I totally agree with you with regard to National Parks. Having had the good fortune of visiting a great number of those, I can’t think of anything more attractive to people from other countries. To fly over the Grand Canyon, seeing the Sequoias in California, the Indian caves in New Mexico, the Everglades, Yellowstone Park, the Tetons, Sierra Nevada, the Rocky Mountains, etc. etc.
Priceless assets of our country!