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1994.02.02 : Diane Thompson Named Associate Commissioner for Legislative Affairs

Feb. 2, 1994
Food and Drug Administration 
Arthur Whitmore (301) 443-4177


Commissioner of Food and Drugs David A. Kessler, M.D., today
announced the appointment of Diane E. Thompson, former chief of
staff for Sen. Barbara Mikulski, as associate commissioner for
legislative affairs at FDA.  

From January 1991 until joining the Food and Drug Administration,
Thompson was a partner in the consulting firm of Foreman and
Heidepriem in Washington, DC, where she specialized in legislative,
public policy and political consulting for a variety of corporate,
non-profit and political clients.  

Thompson served as Mikulski's chief of staff from January 1987 to
November 1989, and during 1986 while Mikulski was a member of the
House of Representatives.  

"Diane's proven record in managing public policy issues will be a
valuable asset in her role as FDA's new legislative affairs chief," 
Kessler said.  "Her House and Senate experience, her knowledge of
women's issues and her expertise in public interest law will serve
the agency well."  

From 1984 to 1985, Thompson served as counsel, political action
committee director and assistant to the president for the National
Organization for Women.  She was a field organizer for the
presidential campaign of Walter Mondale in early 1984.  

Thompson was a partner in the law firm of Rogers, Joseph, O'Donnell
and Quinn in San Francisco from 1981 to 1983, and an associate with
the law firm of Pettit and Martin in San Francisco from 1976 to
1980.  She is a member of the California bar.  

Thompson is a graduate of the National Law Center of George
Washington University in Washington, DC.  She has a bachelor's
degree in political science from Vassar College.  

FDA is one of the eight Public Health Service agencies within HHS.