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Karen A. Johnson of Virginia was sworn in as assistant secretary of education for legislation and congressional affairs on June 2, 2003. The president announced his intention to nominate Johnson on Nov. 7, 2002, and nominated her on Jan.21. The Senate confirmed the nomination on May 23.

In her position, Johnson provides the direction, planning and development for the implementation of the legislative goals of the Department. She works with the Congress to assure the receipt of necessary information relating to policies, appropriations and programs and to assure the Department's responsiveness to their requests.

Prior to joining the Bush administration, Johnson was vice president of social marketing and public affairs at Porter Novelli, where she provided strategic public affairs and communications counsel for a variety of not-for-profit and foundation clients. Prior to joining Porter Novelli, she was a fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communications.

Johnson is a veteran of numerous campaigns and large-scale political management efforts, including the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, where she served as convention manager for public liaison, overseeing the logistics and activities of the convention's 45,000 visitors.

Johnson began her career as a staff assistant for Congressman Duncan Hunter (R., Calif.). She is a graduate of Appalachian State University in North Carolina, where she earned a bachelor's degree in communications.