The Honorable Dot Harris, Director, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity
Dot Harris was nominated by President Obama to be the Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the United States Department of Energy. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 29, 2012. Ms. Harris brings nearly 30 years of management and leadership experience to this position, having served at some of the world’s largest firms and leading a successful energy, IT, and healthcare consulting firm.
Mr. Valdez is the Principal Deputy Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED).
Mr. Valdez's career with the Department of Energy spans over 17 years, providing him with extensive knowledge in the areas of workforce development, budget planning, diversity and equal opportunity issues, science policy, corporate and strategic planning, and contract management. In his current position, Mr. Valdez plays a pivotal role in setting overall strategic direction for DOE's diversity, minority education, civil rights, and small business initiatives and activities.
Deputy Director, Office of Minority Economic Impact
Annie Whatley has been the voice for minority education programs at the Department of Energy for more than 15 years - providing opportunities for universities and students to participate in the research and education programs at the Department. She has been instrumental in providing more than $800 million to minority educational institutions - of which more than $600 million went to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
A native of Alabama, she is a graduate of Alabama A&M University where she received a B.S degree in Economics.
Deputy Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
John Hale III is the Deputy Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization at the Department of Energy, which is housed in the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity. In this role, Hale advocates for small businesses including small disadvantaged, 8(a), women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and Historically Underutilized Business Zone businesses.