Reclamation History

Daniel P. Beard, Commissioner,
Bureau of Reclamation, 1993 - 1995.

Beard was born in 1943 in Bellingham, Washington, and his early career included urban renewal planning, environmental policy study and teaching. Beard worked for Congressman Sidney Yates (D-Ill.) on the House Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee from 1975 to 1976. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Water Resources from 1977 to 1980. Beard acted as Staff Director of House Interior Subcommittee on Water and Power from 1985 to 1990. During his tenure as Commissioner, Beard directed the reorganization of the Bureau of Reclamation. His actions reduced Reclamation's budget by more than $100 million and staff by 20 percent. Beard pushed for Reclamation's transition from construction agency to water resources management leader. He also insisted Reclamation take new approaches toward water conservation, environmental issues, and recognize the increasing demands of cities on Western water. After leaving Reclamation, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President for Public Policy at the National Audubon Society, and he then worked as a senior advisor for the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. In early 2007 he returned to the House of Representatives to become the third Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the House of Representatives, a position he left in 2010. Beard holds a Master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Washington.

Back to List of Commissioners