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For Immediate Release
April 30, 2003

The White House Announces National Finalists for the 2003-2004 Class of White House Fellows

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2003 -- The White House today announced that 30 outstanding men and women from across the country have been selected as National Finalists for the 2003-2004 White House Fellows Program -- the nation's most prestigious program for leadership and public service. The National Finalists represent a diverse cross-section of professions, including academia, the arts, architecture, business, city government, consulting, education, finance, health care, law, non-profit, and technology. Additionally, four branches of the military are represented among the National Finalists. A complete list of the National Finalists is attached below.

During June 2003, the National Finalists will participate in a two and one half day interview process before the President's Commission on White House Fellowships. Based on these interviews, the Commission then will recommend between 11 and 19 outstanding candidates to President George W. Bush for a one-year appointment as White House Fellows.

The White House Fellows Program was founded in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This non-partisan program offers exceptional young men and women first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the Federal government. Fellows also participate in an education program consisting of roundtable discussions with renowned leaders from the private and public sectors, and in trips to study U.S. policy in action both domestically and internationally. Following the Fellowship year, Fellows are expected to repay the privilege by contributing to the Nation as better leaders and public servants.

Selection as a White House Fellow is highly competitive and based on a record of remarkable professional achievement early in one's career, evidence of leadership potential, a proven commitment to public service, and the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute successfully at the highest levels of the Federal government. In its 39-year history, the program has fostered leaders in many fields including Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, American Red Cross President Marty Evans, United Nations Foundation President and Former U.S. Senator Timothy Wirth, and U.S. Senator Samuel Brownback.

Additional information about the Program is located at /fellows.

2003-2004 White House Fellows National Finalists
Employment and Hometown
Anisha Abraham U.S.Army, Major and Physician - Wilmington, DE
Ellen Agler Executive Director, Operation Smile, UK - Boise, ID
Ajay Amlani Vice President, Pacer Stacktrain - Troy, MI
Ahmad Atwan Vice President, Caminus Corporation - Cleveland, OH
Roger Carstens U.S. Army, Major and Company Commander - Spokane, WA
Liz Cedillo Attorney, Catholic Charities of Dallas - Dallas, TX
Marcia Daft Musician and Arts Education Consultant - Washington, D.C.
Timothy Docking African Affairs Specialist, US Institute of Peace - East Lansing, MI
Dawn Dunlop U.S. Air Force, Major - Huntington, NY
Jill Enos Senior Director, USinternetworking, Inc. - Stockton, IL
Garth Graham Resident Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital - Miami, FL
Elisa Hoffman Teacher and Librarian, Edison Schools - Longmeadow, MA
Gail Lese Financial Analyst and Physician, Fidelity Investments - Nahant, MA
Jerome Loughridge Chief of Staff to the President, Baylor University - Duncan, OK
Lisa May U.S. Air Force Reserve, Major - Lantana, FL
Tara McFeely U.S. Navy Reserve, Lieutenant Commander (Select) - Lincroft, NJ
James Mejia Manager, Office of the Mayor of Denver - Denver, CO
Richard Mitchell Architect and Attorney, Dorsey & Whitney LLP - Port Orchard, WA
George Pivik U.S. Army, Captain - Pittsburgh, PA
Jeffrey Robinson Adjunct Professor, Loyola College - Parsippany, NJ
Nazanin Samari-Kermani Program Officer, ActionAid-Kenya - Milwaukee, WI
Wendin Smith Senior Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton - Glen Arbor, MI
Robert Smullen U.S. Marine Corps, Major - Gloversville, NY
Eileen Stephens MBA Student, University of PA, The Wharton School - Des Plaines, IL
Marc Sternberg Vice President of Development, Victory Schools - New York, NY
Michael Suk Orthopedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery - Flossmoor, IL
Erwin Tan Physician, San Francisco General Hospital - Manchester, CT
Cathy Taylor Vice President, American Express - Gladwyne, PA
Matthew Testerman U.S. Navy, Lieutenant Commander - Mt. Vernon, NH
Thomas Williams U.S. Navy, Lieutenant Commander - Reston, VA