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Laurie M. Rich is Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs. In that role, she advises the secretary on education and other legislative matters pending before state and local governments. In addition, she coordinates activities among the 10 federal regions, serves as the liaison to corporate and interagency entities regarding education matters and oversees the community services activities of the Department, which include the Partnership for Family Involvement and the 1-800-USA-LEARN information line.

Prior to her appointment, Rich was Executive Director of the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations where she served as liaison among the Texas governor, state legislature, state government agencies, the U.S. Congress and federal government offices.

From 1985 to 1995, Rich served Senator Phil Gramm (R-Texas), as a special assistant and senior legislative assistant. Also during that time, she served as deputy director of coalitions for the Bush/Quayle '92 campaign, and as the acting administrative assistant to Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), following her special election in 1993.

Rich is a secondary school teacher and taught in Dallas, where she was born and raised. She is a graduate of North Texas State University, now the University of North Texas, in Denton.