In this position, Serote oversees Reclamation's congressional and legislative affairs activities and serves as Reclamation's primary liaison with Congress.

Serote comes to Reclamation from the staff of Congressman J. D. Hayworth (R-AZ), where he most recently was District Director of the Congressman's Scottsdale, Ariz., office. In that position he managed district staff activities, which primarily focused on outreach to state and local governments, local businesses, minority groups, veterans, seniors, and Arizona State University. Prior to that he served as Senior Legislative Assistant in Congressman Hayworth's Washington, D.C., office where he advised Representative Hayworth on environment and natural resource issues, as well as appropriations, education, energy, telecommunications, technology and commerce.

"Ryan brings a wealth of experience to this critical position and we look forward to the expertise he will bring to Reclamation," said Johnson. "I am delighted he has accepted this new challenge and am pleased to have his expertise on our team."

Serote and his wife reside in Burke, Va., and have two children.

Serote received his Master of Business Administration from the George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.