The YAO delivers Colorado River water from Parker Dam to users in southern Arizona, southern California, and Mexico; operates and maintains one of the world's largest reverse osmosis desalting plants; and provides technical support and training in water conservation and desalting technology research. The office also maintains the lower river's channel and levees to the U.S.-Mexico border for navigation, flood control, and water delivery operations.

In announcing McCloskey's selection, Reclamation's Lower Colorado Regional Director Lorri Gray said, "Jennifer's extensive abilities and experience in program management and customer collaboration will be invaluable in the administration of the Yuma Office's wide range of responsibilities. She has already demonstrated significant expertise in building strong working relationships to help the Region accomplish its programs."

McCloskey joined the Lower Colorado Region as YAO Deputy Area Manager in 2005, after several years working for the Department of Treasury in Washington D.C., and ten years with private technology and business services companies in Texas and Florida.

As YAO's Deputy Area Manager, she managed the day-to-day operations of the office, while also developing and implementing several new programs to improve service delivery. These included a five-year strategic plan, an annual goal setting process, and the formation of a Project Management Office, which resulted in 99 percent of the Offices projects delivered on time and within budget.

She also was a member of the Operations and Maintenance and Succession Planning teams formed by Reclamation as part of its "Managing for Excellence" initiative to identify and address specific 21st Century challenges to fulfill its mission. The teams provided several recommendations for how Reclamation could improve these processes, as well as detailed implementation plans to help Reclamation accomplish future goals.

McCloskey has also been instrumental in completing environmental and funding requirements to implement the $172 million Drop 2 Storage Reservoir Project. That project, currently under construction in southern California, will conserve, on average, an estimated 70,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water a year.

A Certified Public Accountant and Project Management Professional, McCloskey holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Arizona in Tucson, and a Master of Business Administration from the American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona. McCloskey is married to Daryl and is the mother of two daughters. She serves as leader for her daughter's Girl Scout troop.