Jo-Ellen Darcy
Encyclopedia
Jo-Ellen Darcy is the current United States
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)
.
. She attended Boston College
, receiving a B.S. in Philosophy
and Sociology
in 1973.
Darcy initially worked as an elementary school
teacher
before working for the United States House Committee on Financial Services
' Subcommittee on Economic Stabilization.
In the 1980s, she joined the office of Governor of Michigan
James Blanchard
, serving as assistant to the director of personnel for gubernatorial appointments. She worked on water resources and environmental issues while in the governor's office. In 1987, she received an M.S. in Resource Development from Michigan State University
. She then served as executive director of the Michigan Great Lakes and Water Resources Planning Commission.
After Blanchard left office in 1991, she worked as a lobbyist for the Investment Company Institute
.
In 1993, Darcy became a staff member of the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
. During her seven years on the EPW Committee staff, she worked on the Safe Drinking Water Act
, the Clean Water Act
, the committee's oversight of the United States Army Corps of Engineers
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
, and Everglades restoration.
With the start of the 107th United States Congress
, Darcy became the Senior Environmental Advisor to the United States Senate Committee on Finance
. She served in this capacity for nine years.
On April 3, 2009, President of the United States
Barack Obama
nominated Darcy as Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)
, and, after Senate Confirmation, she assumed office on August 7, 2009.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)
The Assistant Secretary of the Army , abbreviated ASA, is an office of the United States Department of the Army responsible for overseeing the civil functions of the United States Army...
.
Biography
Jo-Ellen Darcy was raised in Fitchburg, MassachusettsFitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg is the third largest city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,318 at the 2010 census. Fitchburg is home to Fitchburg State University as well as 17 public and private elementary and high schools.- History :...
. She attended Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
, receiving a B.S. in Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and Sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
in 1973.
Darcy initially worked as an elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
before working for the United States House Committee on Financial Services
United States House Committee on Financial Services
The United States House Committee on Financial Services is the committee of the United States House of Representatives that oversees the entire financial services industry, including the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries...
' Subcommittee on Economic Stabilization.
In the 1980s, she joined the office of Governor of Michigan
Governor of Michigan
The Governor of Michigan is the chief executive of the U.S. State of Michigan. The current Governor is Rick Snyder, a member of the Republican Party.-Gubernatorial elections and term of office:...
James Blanchard
James Blanchard
James Johnston "Jim" Blanchard is a politician from the US state of Michigan. A Democrat, Blanchard has served in the United States House of Representatives, as the 45th Governor of Michigan, and as United States Ambassador to Canada....
, serving as assistant to the director of personnel for gubernatorial appointments. She worked on water resources and environmental issues while in the governor's office. In 1987, she received an M.S. in Resource Development from Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
. She then served as executive director of the Michigan Great Lakes and Water Resources Planning Commission.
After Blanchard left office in 1991, she worked as a lobbyist for the Investment Company Institute
Investment Company Institute
The Investment Company Institute is the national association of U.S. investment companies. ICI encourages adherence to high ethical standards, promotes public understanding of funds and investing, and advances the interests of investment funds and their shareholders, directors, and advisers.As of...
.
In 1993, Darcy became a staff member of the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
The United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is responsible for dealing with matters related to the environment and infrastructure.-Members, 112th Congress:...
. During her seven years on the EPW Committee staff, she worked on the Safe Drinking Water Act
Safe Drinking Water Act
The Safe Drinking Water Act is the principle federal law in the United States intended to ensure safe drinking water for the public. Pursuant to the act, the Environmental Protection Agency is required to set standards for drinking water quality and oversee all states, localities, and water...
, the Clean Water Act
Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Commonly abbreviated as the CWA, the act established the goals of eliminating releases of high amounts of toxic substances into water, eliminating additional water pollution by 1985, and ensuring that...
, the committee's oversight of the United States Army Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
, and Everglades restoration.
With the start of the 107th United States Congress
107th United States Congress
The One Hundred Seventh United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from January 3, 2001 to January 3, 2003, during the final...
, Darcy became the Senior Environmental Advisor to the United States Senate Committee on Finance
United States Senate Committee on Finance
The U.S. Senate Committee on Finance is a standing committee of the United States Senate. The Committee concerns itself with matters relating to taxation and other revenue measures generally, and those relating to the insular possessions; bonded debt of the United States; customs, collection...
. She served in this capacity for nine years.
On April 3, 2009, President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
nominated Darcy as Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)
The Assistant Secretary of the Army , abbreviated ASA, is an office of the United States Department of the Army responsible for overseeing the civil functions of the United States Army...
, and, after Senate Confirmation, she assumed office on August 7, 2009.