Joseph P. McMonigle became Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Energy in December 2002. Previously, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Counselor to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham.
As Chief of Staff, Mr. McMonigle helps to manage a cabinet department with a $23 billion budget and over 100,000 federal and contractor employees. The Department of Energy is a diverse agency that includes 17 National Laboratories; the National Nuclear Security Administration which operates the nuclear weapons complex and non-proliferation programs; a Science program which is the nation’s single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences; and a $7 billion environmental cleanup program which is the largest on the planet.
Mr. McMonigle is responsible for the implementation of the Secretary’s policy initiatives across the Department, in addition to overseeing public affairs and strategic planning. He provides advice to the Secretary on a broad range of topics including international affairs, budget and legal issues. He is also one of the Secretary’s primary liaisons to the White House, other Cabinet agencies and Capitol Hill.
In addition to his duties as Chief of Staff, Mr. McMonigle serves as U.S. representative and Vice Chairman of the Paris-based International Energy Agency, an international organization of oil consuming countries, whose core mission is to work for stable energy markets and respond with joint measures to meet oil supply emergencies. He is also the American co-chair of the U.S.-China Energy Policy Working Group and leads DOE’s bilateral activities and engagement with China.
Prior to the inauguration, Mr. McMonigle was a member of the Presidential Transition Committee Staff advising the Secretary of Energy-designate during the confirmation process.
Before joining the Bush Administration, Mr. McMonigle was the Administrative Assistant and General Counsel to then-Senator Spencer Abraham during his service as a U.S. Senator from Michigan. He was also the campaign manager for the Abraham for Senate 2000 committee and has held top positions in other Republican campaigns for Congress and Governor.
His first position with Senator Abraham in 1994 was as Communications Director. During that time, Mr. McMonigle was elected President of the U.S. Senate Press Secretaries Association, a bi-partisan organization of Senate press secretaries whose previous leaders included some former White House Press Secretaries.
In addition to his work with Secretary Abraham, Mr. McMonigle also served as an aide to former HUD Secretary and Congressman Jack Kemp as well as the Executive Assistant to the Pennsylvania Attorney General.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. McMonigle is a graduate of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
He is a member of the Pennsylvania and District of Columbia Bars.
