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Kira Finkler
Deputy Commissioner, External and Intergovernmental Affairs

Kira Finkler joined Reclamation's executive management team in August 2009, after being named Deputy Commissioner, External and Intergovernmental Affairs by President Barack Obama. She directs Reclamation's Congressional, Legislative and Public Affairs activities, while also managing the agency's interaction among federal and non-federal governments as well as national-level citizen groups.

Prior to joining Reclamation, Finkler served as Counsel to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in the United States Senate where she provided advice and analysis to Members of the Committee regarding natural resources policy and legislation. She also served as Counsel to the Committee from 1996-2003 and 1993-1994.

From 2004 to 2007, Finkler was the Senior Policy Advisor and Government Affairs Director for Trout Unlimited. In this capacity she developed and implemented strategies to secure federal funding and support for several restoration projects nationwide.

She also served as Environmental Legislative Assistant in the Office of Senator Dale Bumpers from 1995 to 1996 and Special Assistant to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management in 1995.

Finkler received her Juris Doctorate degree from the Washington College of Law at American University in Washington, DC. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Arizona.

Last Reviewed: September 8, 2009