News Release Archive

Dionne E. Thompson Named Reclamation's Chief, Congressional and Legislative Affairs

Media Contact: Dan DuBray, 202-513-0574, ddubray@usbr.gov

For Release: October 23, 2009

Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor has appointed Dionne E. Thompson to serve as Reclamation's Chief, Congressional and Legislative Affairs.

She will begin her new position on October 26, and will oversee Reclamation's congressional and legislative affairs activities and serve as Reclamation's primary liaison with Congress.

"Dionne brings a wealth of experience in working with Congress, especially energy issues," said Reclamation Commissioner Michael Connor. "Her experience and knowledge will help Reclamation address the water and energy challenges facing this country."

From 2003 to 2009, Thompson worked at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission where she was the legal advisor to the Chairman, advisor on market rates and tariffs, and most recently as senate liaison in the Office of External Affairs where she covered electric transmission, natural gas and hydroelectric issues.

She previously worked in the energy field for Troutman Sanders, L.L.P. in Washington, D.C., from 1999 to 2003, where she advised energy clients on legislation before the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, and on regulatory matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Thompson began her career in Washington, D.C., in 1993 when she was staff counsel to Sen. J. Bennett Johnston on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Public Lands, National Parks and Forests. In 1995 she provided counsel to Sen. Johnston in his senate office covering a wide range of issues including appropriations, environmental and natural resource issues.

She then worked as a senior energy and environmental aide to Sen. Mary L. Landrieu from 1997 to 1999 and again as legislative director in 2008. She has also been an attorney in the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of the Solicitor.

Thompson is originally from Shreveport, La., and has lived in Virginia for almost 20 years. She received her B.A. from Harvard University and has a J.D. from the University of Virginia.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.