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Libby Washburn
Deputy Commissioner, External and Intergovernmental Affairs

Libby Washburn joined Reclamation May 6, 2013 after President Barack Obama appointed her as the Deputy Commissioner for External and Intergovernmental Affairs. She oversees Reclamation's Congressional, Legislative and Public Affairs activities. Washburn is also the executive responsible for the bureau's national relationships with federal, state and local governments, as well as citizen organizations and other nongovernmental groups.

Prior to joining Reclamation, Washburn served as state director for Sen. Jeff Bingaman in Albuquerque from March 2012 to January 2013. She also was Sen. Bingaman's legislative counsel from July 2001 to December 2002. Prior to her recent work with Sen. Bingaman, she was director of communications and external relations for the Udall Foundation in Tucson, Ariz.

Previously, she worked as an attorney for the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C., as well as Albuquerque, N.M. Boston and Minneapolis, Minn. She also served as a legislative advisor for the Chickasaw Nation and as an attorney with a focus on issues relating to American Indian law and water law.

She received her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law, her Master of Arts in government from Texas Woman's University and her Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Oklahoma. Washburn served on various boards and committees around the country and is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Last Reviewed: May 7, 2013