Biography of Ed Sontag
Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Ed Sontag became
Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (ASAM) on
October 7, 2001. He serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary
on all major aspects of departmental management, including human
resource policy, grants management, acquisitions and department
operations.
Under the new office, Sontag will spearhead the restructuring HHS’
administrative operations, making them more efficient and responsive.
The department’s Program Support Center -- HHS’ support
services arm -- reports to ASAM.
Prior to joining HHS, Sontag was the resident scholar for then
Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson, providing counsel on the K-12
education system, special education and post-secondary education. The
position also included developing budget and policy recommendations
for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the Wisconsin
Technical College System and the University of Wisconsin System.
From 1992-1999, Sontag was a professor at the University of
Wisconsin-Steven Point School of Education. There he taught a full
range of introductory, undergraduate and graduate-level courses in
general and special education. During this time, Sontag served as
Head, School of Education and Association Dean, College of
Professional Studies. As chief administrator for the School of
Education, he was responsible for overseeing academic programs,
certificate requirements, professional development, university and
community relations, and personnel.
Additionally, Sontag was Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S.
Department of Interior from 1989-1992. Sontag served as the primary
advisor on education issues and represented the department before the
White House and other Cabinet offices on activities related to the
President’s national education goals.
Sontag has also held senior-level positions with the Illinois State
Board of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Indiana University,
and has held appointments within the Wisconsin and New York public
school system. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including a
four-time recipient of the University of Wisconsin-Steven Point Vice
Chancellor Merit Award, Department of Interior Distinguished Safety
Award, and several Distinguished Service Awards from various
educational organizations.
Sontag is a native of California. He received a bachelor’s in
special education from the State University of New York, a
master’s in elementary school administration and supervision also
from SUNY, and a doctorate in administration of special education from
Syracuse University.
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