U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige today announced that Karen A. Johnson of Virginia has taken the oath of office as assistant secretary of education for legislation and congressional affairs.

"The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs plays a key role in our mission to ensure that no child in America is left behind," Secretary Paige said. "Karen Johnson has a proven track record of experience and her leadership will be an enormous asset for President Bush and me as we work in a bipartisan way to achieve the Bush administration's legislative goals. I congratulate Karen as she assumes her new post and have no doubt she will be an effective advocate on behalf of our nation's children."

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.

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.

A. Clayton "Clay" Boothby of Virginia has been promoted to principal deputy assistant secretary of education for legislation and congressional affairs. Boothby served as acting assistant secretary of the office from June 2002 until Johnson was sworn in as assistant secretary. He joined the Education Department's Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs in February 2001 and was named deputy assistant secretary of the office in July 2001. Prior to joining the Education Department, Boothby was associate director of the Washington, D.C., office of Gov. Tom Ridge (R-Pa.).

###

Top

Back to May 2003