For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 4, 2006

Personnel Announcement

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate three individuals, appoint four individuals and designate one individual to serve in his Administration:

The President intends to nominate Patricia A. Butenis, of Virginia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Ms. Butenis is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. She currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Islamabad, Pakistan. Prior to this, she served as Consul General in Bogot , Colombia and Warsaw, Poland. Earlier in her career, Ms. Butenis served as Chief of Post Liaison for Visa Services in the Consular Affairs Bureau at the Department of State. Ms. Butenis received her bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her master's degree from Columbia University.

The President intends to nominate Robert M. Couch, of Alabama, to be President of the Government National Mortgage Association. Mr. Couch is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of New South Federal Savings Bank. Prior to this, he served as General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer at First Commercial Bancshares, Inc. Mr. Couch is a certified mortgage banker. Mr. Couch received his bachelor's degree and JD from Washington & Lee University.

The President intends to nominate John A. Simon, of Maryland, to be Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Mr. Simon currently serves as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Relief, Stabilization and Development for the National Security Council at the White House. Prior to this, he served as Director of Development Issues for the National Security Council. Mr. Simon also served as Deputy Assistant Administrator at the United States Agency for International Development. Earlier in his career, he served as Director of Business Finance and Strategic Planning at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Mr. Simon received his bachelor's degree from Princeton University and his master's degree from Harvard University.

The President intends to appoint Robert J. Creighton, of Florida, to be a Member of the Medal of Valor Review Board (Emergency Services), for a term of four years.

The President intends to appoint Robert George Hayes, of Virginia, to be a Member of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (Sport Fishing Representative), for the remainder of a three-year term expiring January 29, 2008.

The President intends to appoint Randi Parks Thomas, of Maryland, to be a Member of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (Commercial Fishing Representative), for the remainder of a three-year term expiring December 4, 2006.

The President intends to appoint Howard H. Li, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The President intends to designate, Myrna Blyth, of New York, to be Chairman of the President's Commission on White House Fellowships.