Biography of David Garman
Former Assistant Secretary Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy -- U.S. Department of Energy

David Garman was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as Assistant Secretary on April 30, 2001 and was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate on May 25, 2001.

Assistant Secretary Garman led the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) comprised of over 500 federal employees in Washington, DC and six regional offices, supported by thousands of federal contractors both in and outside the National Laboratories. EERE's $1.2 billion technology portfolio is the largest energy research, development, demonstration and deployment portfolio at the Department of Energy.

Assistant Secretary Garman was instrumental in the development of the FreedomCAR cooperative automotive research partnership and the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative. In recognition of his role, he was awarded the National Hydrogen Association's 2002 Meritorious Service Award, and the Electric Drive Vehicle Association's 2003 "E-Visionary" Award. Concurrent with his duties as Assistant Secretary, Garman also served as Chairman of the FreedomCAR Executive Steering Committee and as Chairman of the Steering Committee for the 15-nation International Partnership for a Hydrogen Economy.

During his tenure at the Department, Mr. Garman reorganized the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, replacing an outdated and fragmented organization with what is arguably the most innovative business model ever employed in the federal government. The new EERE organization is comprised of fewer management layers, is more agile, and is focused on results rather than process. The new organization has been recognized as a success by the White House and the National Association of Public Administration. In fully implementing the new business model in accordance with the President's Management Agenda, Assistant Secretary Garman is continuing his emphasis on increasing program manager accountability, reducing administrative overhead, and getting more work performed with each taxpayer dollar.

Prior to joining the Department of Energy, Mr. Garman served in a variety of positions on the staff of two U.S. Senators and two Senate Committees during a career spanning nearly 21 years, including service on the Professional Staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Immediately prior to his current position, Mr. Garman was Chief of Staff to Frank Murkowski, then Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, now Governor of Alaska. In addition to his normal Senate duties, Mr. Garman represented the Senate leadership at virtually all of the major negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from 1995-2000.

Assistant Secretary Garman has testified before Congress as an Administration witness on more than twenty-five occasions; and been featured as a key Administration spokesman on future energy technologies in print, television and radio. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Duke University, and a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences from the Johns Hopkins University.