Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force
Heather Zichal, Deputy Advisor to the President on Energy and Climate Change
Heather Zichal currently serves as the Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change. Zichal served as the Policy Director for Energy, Environment and Agriculture for Sen. Obama's presidential campaign and on the transition team. Prior, she served as the Legislative Director to Senator John Kerry where she coordinated domestic and foreign policy. In 2004, she was responsible for the Kerry campaign's energy and environment policies. Heather also served as Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and U.S. Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ). During her tenure in government, she has been highly involved in legislative initiatives to create green jobs, tackle climate change, reduce dependence on oil, and protect natural treasures like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. She grew up in Iowa and is a graduate of Rutgers University.