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Chairman Appoints Michael J. Cianci, Jr. as New Administrative Law Judge

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher has announced the appointment of Judge Michael J. Cianci Jr. as a FERC Administrative Law Judge.

"I'm pleased that Judge Cianci has agreed to accept this position," Kelliher said. "Judge Cianci's broad experience in both government and the private sector, including his positions as a Chief Judge and litigation attorney along with his extensive knowledge of regulatory, environmental and natural resource issues, will serve FERC very well."

"I am delighted to have Judge Cianci on the OALJ team," said Chief Administrative Law Judge Curtis Wagner Jr. "His exceptional background in natural resources law and his ADR experience will be of great value in meeting our mission responsibilities."

Since 2001, Judge Cianci has served as an Administrative Law Judge with the Social Security Administration in both Cleveland, Ohio and Phoenix, Ariz. He had served as Chief Judge in the Phoenix office for more than 2 years.

From 1991 to 2001, Judge Cianci worked for the United States Air Force as a civilian counsel in the Environmental Law and Litigation Division, where his case work included issues involving the Clean Water Act, third-party site clean-up issues, and water rights litigation. He managed a field litigation office at Luke AFB, Arizona, and supported numerous water rights litigation for the Air Force throughout the west. Prior to that, Judge Cianci worked in the Arizona Attorney General's office, as an Assistant Attorney General, representing numerous boards and commissions, including the State Land Department. Judge Cianci also worked as a litigation attorney with the Arizona law firms of Snell and Wilmer, and Mariscal, Weeks, McIntyre and Friedlander.

After graduating from law school in 1978, Judge Cianci served as a Circuit Trial Counsel and assistant Staff Judge Advocate with the United States Air Force, receiving a direct appointment as a Captain. As a Circuit Trial Counsel, he was responsible for prosecuting major criminal cases over a five state area, including murder, rape, espionage and robbery cases.

Judge Cianci is a graduate of the University of Arizona Law School, in Tucson, Ariz. In 1988, Judge Cianci received a Masters of Law Degree in Law and Marine Affairs from the University of Washington Law School, with a concentration in environmental and water law. He also earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Judge Cianci presently is the senior reservist for the Air Force Environmental Law and Litigation Division, serving in the rank of Colonel. He is married to Wendy Six Cianci and has two daughters, Rebecca and Hannah.

R-08-34