Personnel Notes

The former senator has been named CEO of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, a powerhouse trade group.

Vacancies in the powerful Office of Management and Budget start at the executive level and go even deeper.

President Obama on Thursday rounded out his second-term economic team.

A former top communications aide to Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) has gone to a public relations firm.
 
Amber McDowell, once Landrieu’s communications director, has joined Blue Engine Message & Media. McDowell has also been a speechwriter and press secretary for Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) as well as for Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.).
 
“Amber’s expertise developing and implementing public policy communications plans combined with her experience as a journalist will ensure that Blue Engine continues to offer thoughtful and impactful counsel to our clients,” said Erik Smith, founder of the firm, in a statement.

Christian Weideman, currently a top Treasury Department lawyer, will take over as the department’s chief of staff, a Treasury official said Monday.

Weideman will become the right-hand man for Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, whom the Senate confirmed in February.

Obama nominated Howard Shelanski for administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, a gatekeeper agency for federal regulations.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is bringing in a former federal prosecutor to lead its enforcement division.

Andrew Ceresney, a former New York prosecutor, will join his friend, current Acting Director George Canellos, as a co-director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement.

“George and Andrew are two of the best lawyers and finest people I know," said SEC Chairwoman Mary Jo White in a statement. "They are a perfect combination to lead the talented Enforcement Division professionals who protect investors and keep our markets safe and vibrant."

White started her tenure at the agency this month after a speedy confirmation in the Senate. The appointment of Ceresney is her first major personnel move.

Citi has added a former top official with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to its government affairs team.

Kimberley Claman, who previously served as deputy assistant USTR for financial services, has joined the bank as a senior vice president for its international government affairs team.

According to an internal posting from Citi, Claman's new role will have her representing the bank's interests in its dealings with officials from U.S. and foreign governments, and "support Citi executives and colleagues interacting and building relationships with key government partners and officials."

"As you can see, Kimberley’s unique depth of knowledge and expertise in working with governments and the private sector on global financial issues will provide Citi and its customers with an important perspective on key trade and international affairs issues," wrote Candi Wolff, Citi's head of global government affairs.

Former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) has joined the lobbying firm Carmen Group.

Kerrey, who lost a bid to return to the Senate last year, will work as a client project leader for the firm as contracted through his corporate entity, Kerrey & Co. The firm said he will be directing “projects of significant merit and scale across a variety of industries.”

Geoff Freeman will take over the American Gaming Association this summer.