Obama ‘looking carefully’ at Hochberg for commerce secretary

Chair of the Export-Import Bank of the United States Fred Hochberg is being considered as Commerce Secretary (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

President Obama is actively considering the nomination of U.S. Export-Import Bank Chair Fred Hochberg as commerce secretary and potentially the first openly gay Cabinet member in history, according to an administration official.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Washington Blade that Hochberg is under consideration for various positions within the administration, although commerce secretary is the role for which he’s seen as most fit.

“What I’ve been told is Fred is very well regarded, he’s done a great job at the bank, and he’s one of the folks that they are looking at carefully for Commerce,” the official said.

But the official said Hochberg hasn’t been involved as of Monday in direct talks with the White House about the position, nor could the official offer any timeline for when the administration would make an announcement.

Fred Sainz, vice president of the Human Rights Campaign, said Hochberg is well-qualified for a position as a Cabinet member or a senior administration official.

“There are a number of highly qualified candidates for cabinet and senior administration positions and Fred is definitely among them,” Sainz said. “We have every confidence that the president will select individuals that reflect the great diversity of our country and that includes LGBT individuals with sterling credentials.”

In a follow-up email, Sainz clarified that his words are not a confirmation that he’s aware Hochberg is under consideration for any particular new role within the administration.

White House spokesperson Shin Inouye said in response to a request for comment that he has no personnel announcements to make.

The commerce secretary post has been vacant since June when former Commerce Secretary John Bryson resigned for medical tests after suffering a seizure while driving his car.

Advocates have called on Obama to appoint the first openly gay Cabinet member as he transitions into his second term. In addition to Hochberg, there has been speculation that John Berry, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, might be considered for the role of secretary of the interior. But the White House hasn’t publicly stated whether Obama would in fact nominate these individuals.

During the Clinton administration, Hochberg served as deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration and later became its acting administrator. His experience in business includes managing the mail order business Lillian Vernon Corp. and being a director of Fusion Telecommunications International.

Gay White House official departs for role at AIDS foundation

In other LGBT personnel news at the White House, Brad Kiley, assistant to the president for management and administration, is leaving to pursue a role as chief operating officer with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation starting Jan. 28.

In a statement, Obama praised Kiley for his role at the White House, which involved directing day-to-day management and operations within the White House complex. Kiley, who’s gay, was responsible for finance, budgeting, information technology, facilities management, human resources operations, and strategic planning for the Executive Office of the President.

“Since the early days of the Transition Project, Brad Kiley has been an integral part of our team,” Obama said. “For the past four years, he managed the nuts-and-bolts of the Executive Office of the President seamlessly. His dedication and stewardship helped us streamline our operations, and provide coordination and strategic planning throughout the Executive Office of the President. He had a knack for bringing out the best in the men and women who work here and his professionalism will be missed.”

Chip Lyons, CEO of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, said his organization is “absolutely delighted” to have Kiley join the organization.

“He has tremendous experience in operations and the development of business models that are fit for the rapidly changing environment in which we work to eliminate pediatric AIDS,” Lyons said. “He complements this knowledge with a longstanding commitment to achieving the end of AIDS.”