Originally Published MX January/February 2005
BUSINESS NEWS
EPA Head Leavitt Named to Replace Thompson at HHS |
| Leavitt |
President Bush has nominated Michael Leavitt, current administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to succeed Tommy Thompson as head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The 53-year-old Leavitt has been at EPA since November 2003, when he replaced former New Jersey governor Christine Todd Whitman. Prior to coming to EPA, Leavitt served three terms as governor of Utah. During his tenure he chaired the national governors' conference, where he was hailed as a highly skilled administrator.
Leavitt holds a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Southern Utah University. Prior to his public service career, he was COO of the Leavitt Group (Cedar City, UT), an insurance firm.
Leavitt is expected to win easy confirmation by the Senate, where he was approved for his role as EPA administrator by a vote of 88–8.
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