Dr. Samuel Bodman Sworn in as 11th Secretary of Energy

Washington, DC – Earlier this morning, Dr. Samuel Bodman was sworn in as the 11th Secretary of the United States Department of Energy. Secretary Bodman was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate on Monday, January 31, 2005, replacing Spencer Abraham who resigned on November 15, 2004.

Today’s private ceremony represents Secretary Bodman’s official swearing in, beginning his first day as Energy Secretary. Secretary Bodman will be sworn in by President Bush at a later date.

"It is a great honor and personal privilege to serve President Bush and the American people as Secretary of Energy," said Secretary Bodman. "I look forward to working with the fine men and women of the Energy Department to advance this department's critically important missions, including preserving America’s pre-eminence in the physical sciences, ensuring the responsible stewardship of our nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, advancing our international nuclear nonproliferation efforts, and ensuring reliable, secure, affordable and environmentally responsible supplies of energy for our growing economy."

Prior to being tapped by President Bush to lead the Energy Department, Bodman served as both Deputy Secretary of the Treasury (2003-present) and Deputy Secretary of Commerce (2001-2003). Before joining the Bush Administration, Bodman was Chief Executive Officer of Boston-based Cabot Corporation and President and Chief Operating Officer of Fidelity Investments. For six years prior to joining the private sector, Secretary Bodman served as an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In nominating Secretary Bodman on December 10, 2004, President Bush said, "In academics, in business, and in government, Sam Bodman has shown himself to be a problem solver who knows how to set goals and he knows how to reach them. He will bring to the Department of Energy a great talent for management and the precise thinking of an engineer."

Secretary Bodman holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University and a doctorate in science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Secretary Bodman is married to M. Diane Bodman. He has three children, two stepchildren and eight grandchildren.