Key Pentagon/Corps of Engineers appointment

According to various news outlets, President Biden will appoint Jaime Pinkham as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. Mr. Pinkham, a citizen of the Nez Perce Tribe, has confirmed that he will be responsible for civil works policy for the Corps of Engineers. The White House has yet to make an official announcement. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Prior to becoming Executive Director, he served as the Commission's Watershed Department Manager and supported the Commission in regional coordination and Congressional affairs. Mr. Pinkham has also led the Nez Perce Tribe’s natural resource programs and was involved in salmon restoration, water rights negotiations, wolf recovery and land acquisition.

If appointed as the Principal Deputy, Mr. Pinkham would not be required to be confirmed by the Senate.