biden

Linda Thomas-Greenfield United States Ambassador to the United Nations

/ youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

A Louisiana State University and University of Wisconsin graduate, (Ph.D. and 2018 Honorary Law Degree), this UN Ambassador began her career teaching political science at the university level. She later transitioned into the foreign service where she served since 1982 in many positions of responsibility receiving a multitude of distinguished service awards, and accolades. Terminated by the orange prez in 2017, she returned under the Biden administration to her current United Nations position in 2020.

In this position Linda is frequently seen on the world stage defending and speaking to the rights of others and US concerns. This is the number one task of this position to represent US interests, and to keep the US State Department informed of events at the United Nations.

Marty Walsh Secretary of Labor

/ youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

This 55 year old from Boston is a former union official, state representative and 7 year mayor of the City of Boston. He has a strong commitment to creating an economy that works for all. This is seen in his achievements in Boston:

  • Secured $15/hour minimum wage
  • created 140,000 jobs
  • free community college for low income students
  • established pre-k programs for children

In his current role he will be responsible for leading the labor department’s efforts to promote the welfare of wage earners, job seekers, and retirees across the U.S., including administering and enforcing a wide range of labor laws. Looking forward to continued greatness from this individual.

Dr. Miguel Cardona – Secretary of Education

/ youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

Dr. Cardona began his career as an elementary school teacher in Meriden, Connecticut, after graduating from the Connecticut state college system. He has always been active in his community, and was appointed to Commissioner of Education for the State of Connecticut in 2019. During his tenure he is credited with many accomplishments:

  • Covid 19 challenges and re-opening schools
  • Promoting access for students tech support
  • Learning devices for children in need
  • Partnering with Yale University to provide free social and emotional support
  • Programs for bilingual children
  • Programs for children with sensory concerns

His career has been focused on partnerships with other education forums/schools, unions, school boards, and families. Instrumental in the Biden tuition forgiveness program he remains creative and forthright in his endeavors.

Marcia Fudge Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

/ youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

Marcia Fudge is a former congresswoman from the 11th district in Ohio. She came to that seat after the death of a former congresswoman, Stephanie Jones. At the time of her nomination to fill that role she was doing legal work in county government.

She was educated in the Ohio University system, graduating from Cleveland State University, and Ohio State for her law degree.

In her position she assists communities to provide fair housing helping low income families achieve home ownership. She also creates policies and rules to ensure there is no discrimination.

The Housing and Urban Development Secretary is also charged with combating homelessness. She oversees many programs that help people with mortgages, such as Ginnie Mae, which is a US corporation that adds money to the mortgage pool so families can become home owners.

Isabel Guzman – Administrator of the Small Business Administration

/ youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

During the Pandemic learned there were over 32.5 million small businesses in America. Found this statistic staggering and beyond conception. This woman has been working in and with small business since childhood as her father owned a chain of veterinary hospitals in California. From California Ms. Guzman studied economics at the University of Pennsylvania.

Involved in all aspects of small business she assists and guides those whose incomes and livelihoods depend on this pursuit. She is a strong advocate for female small business and besides writing many papers she is uniquely involved with this population.

During the Pandemic much relief was delivered to small business owners and revamping of many of the administrations programs occurred under her watchful eye.

Deb Haaland – Secretary of the Interior

/ youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

Another first here – this woman is the first Native American to serve as a cabinet member. As a 35th generation New Mexican she hails from the Laguna Pueblo Tribe where she was a tribal leader. Raised in a military family her father was a decorated war veteran, and mom a Navy veteran. She attended over 13 different schools as a military child.

She is a success story striving as a single parent living pay check to pay check then becoming a business owner of Pueblo Salsa. In the meantime, as Stephen Colbert would say, she graduated from the University of New Mexico undergrad, and then on to their law school. She is still paying for her student loans as was President Obama well into his second term..

In reviewing her credentials and background as an advocate for environmental justice and climate change, she is a perfect fit for her position as the Secretary of the Interior. In her position manages the use of public lands, protects the exploitation of natural resources, and maintains national parks and monuments.

Gina Raimondo – Secretary of Commerce

/ youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

Another powerhouse here.. This gal is one to watch and would love to see her as President. On a recent trip caught her being interviewed on plane tv with a high dollar tech guy. She held her own and out shined him, however also honored his abilities and business acumen. This is a task few have, and something crucial in a woman who is working in a man’s world. That said let me convince you as well of her talents in this blog…

Gina’s grandfather immigrated to the US at 14, he learned English at the library, had a family, and lived the American dream. His granddaughter became the valedictorian of her high school, and went on to be the first in his family with a college education. She graduated as the top student in economics from Harvard, and later became a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. After that she earned her doctorate from Yale.

She worked in venture capital then was drawn to the public sector becoming the treasurer for the State of Rhode Island where she fixed the underfunded pension system. Next step.. Governor where she worked tirelessly on work force development, job training programs, and other initiatives.

At Commerce she has the following Mission:

  • Spur good paying jobs
  • Empower enterpeneurs to grow
  • Help American workers compete in business

She was one of the primary architects of the Chip and Science Act of 2022. Noting Taiwan makes 90% of the chips used in the world this bill was created and passed to ensure America’s viability and security in the world. Chip manufacture in America will increase exponentially with the passage of this legislation.

And under the American Rescue Plan, (ARP), her agency is working on careers for future young Americans in good paying jobs in construction, manufacture and other industries. She is replicating nationally what was created in Rhode Island.

Raimondo speaking at the kick-off of this initiative.

One to watch.

Go Gina!

Katherine Tai United States Trade Representative

/ youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

Katherine is the first Asian-American to serve in this position. The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants this gal, who is fluent in Mandarin, has spent most of her career shaping US trade law and agreements. A graduate of Harvard and Yale she is a lawyer as well as an acclaimed public servant. Her nomination to this position received unanimous approval by the senate.

In her role as principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on US trade policy, she is key to the strength of our country’s trade relations. Only 48 years young her skills will be available to our government for several decades. How fortunate we are.

Jennifer Granholm Secretary of Energy

/ youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

This powerhouse gal is a Canadian immigrant originally from Vancouver, Canada. At 63, she was a 2 term governor of Michigan where she implemented clean energy programs, and channeled the auto industry into the emerging sectors of clean energy.

A graduate of University of California at Berkeley, and Harvard, this former governor is a lawyer, educator, and political commentator. Clean energy has always been her initiative, and she is tasked with achieving Biden’s goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Michigan is one of the top 5 states with clean energy patents.

According to her bio on energy.gov she is tasked with the following:

  • promoting research and development of clean energy
  • creating millions of clean energy jobs
  • leading our country, thus the world, in scientific discovery on this topic
  • remediating the environmental hazards caused by defense programs

Tom Vilsack Secretary of Agriculture

/ youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

When I began researching Tom found stories of an arrest, and several nefarious activities by this 71 year old former Iowa governor who had also served in the Obama administration from 2009-20017.

After reading several accounts of this May 2022 incident, I recall this past week signing on to the internet only to find King Charles III had died after 46 days on the throne. While I respect what Charles has done for his charities, am not a fan, however read on. The accounts intrigued as it was reported he died in his sleep, peacefully. I signed off and returned 10 minutes later. Decided to check on the King’s funereal arrangements and low and behold there he was alive and kicking in full regalia at a British event. While no retraction was made know someone took a fall on that.

I digress.. and for the record Tom was not arrested.

Our Secretary of Agriculture is a New York State educated man with degrees from Hamilton College and Albany Law School. Here are some of his assigned tasks:

  • works with states on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, and nutrition
  • In nutrition issues also works closely with the Secretary of Health and Human Services
  • National Forest are under this Secretary’s purview
  • Monitors and develops plans for new farming technologies.