Clay Sell
Former Deputy Secretary of Energy
Department of Energy

Clay Sell was sworn in March 21, 2005 as Deputy Secretary of Energy after being unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. As Deputy Secretary, Mr. Sell played a vital role in maintaining and strengthening the economic and national security of the Nation while supporting the important scientific and research missions conducted by the Department of Energy. The Deputy Secretary also serves as the Department’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and assists the Secretary with policy and programmatic oversight over the 100,000 employee, $23 billion agency.

Since February 2004, Mr. Sell served as a Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, specializing in coordinating and promoting the President’s legislative agenda in the United States Senate with a primary focus in the policy areas of energy, natural resources, budget, and appropriations. Previous to his work in the Legislative Affairs Office, Mr. Sell served as a member of the President’s National Economic Council and as Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy. As such, he was the President’s primary advisor on issues pertaining to energy and natural resources, and he coordinated the development and implementation of the Administration’s energy policy.

Prior to his service at the White House, Mr. Sell was the Staff Director and Majority Clerk of the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, working directly for the Subcommittee Chairman, Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico and the full Committee Chairman, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska. Mr. Sell led the Republican staff of the Energy and Water Subcommittee from January 2000 to July 2003.

Previously, Mr. Sell served on the Bush-Cheney Transition as part of the energy policy team. From 1995 to 1999, he served on the staff of Congressman Mac Thornberry of Texas, functioning the last two years as the Congressman’s Administrative Assistant.

Before moving to Washington, Mr. Sell practiced law in Texas. He received his bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. He and his wife have three children.