News Release Archive

Dionne E. Thompson Named Bureau of Reclamation's Deputy Commissioner for External and Intergovernmental Affairs

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

For Release: February 20, 2015

WASHINGTON - Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Estevan López announced today Dionne E. Thompson has been appointed Deputy Commissioner for External and Intergovernmental Affairs. Thompson will oversee congressional, legislative and public affairs activities and represent Reclamation's relationships with federal, state and local governments.

"Communication between Reclamation and its customers, stakeholders, public and other governmental entities is extremely important in carrying out Reclamation's mission of delivering water and generating hydropower," López said. "Dionne's extensive experience working in the federal government and with Congress will be a great asset in this position."

Thompson joined Reclamation in 2009 as the Chief, Congressional and Legislative Affairs. In this position, she served as Reclamation?s primary liaison with Congress.

She began her career in Washington, District of Columbia, in 1993 as staff counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. In 1995 and 1996, she provided counsel to Sen. J. Bennett Johnston of Louisiana, covering a wide range of issues including appropriations, environmental and natural resource issues. She also worked as a senior energy and environmental aide to Sen. Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana from 1997 to 1999 and again as legislative director in 2008.

In addition to her work in the public sector as an attorney with the Department of the Interior?s Office of the Solicitor and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Thompson also was a lawyer in the private sector, focusing on energy issues at the firm Troutman Sanders LLP.

Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, Thompson has lived in the Washington, District of Columbia, area for more than 20 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor 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.