Michael L. Connor, the new Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior.

The Senate voted 97-0 to confirm Michael L. Connor, a descendant of Taos Pueblo, as deputy secretary of the Interior Department.

Connor is the first Native American in the second-highest ranking post at the department. He previously served as commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, where he advanced tribal water rights settlements.

“Mike is exactly the right person to help lead this Department – thoughtful, smart, organized and full of energy,” Secretary Sally Jewell said in a press release. “His wealth of knowledge, experience and collaborative approach to complex challenges will be of great benefit to me and to this Department. Mike is a true public servant, and this new role will tap all of his experiences for the benefit of the American people.”

Connor succeeds David Hayes, who left the Obama administration in June 2013.

Get the Story:
New Mexico’s Michael Connor confirmed as deputy Interior secretary (The Albuquerque Journal 2/27)

Related Stories:
Tribes hail nomination of Michael Connor for top Interior post (8/1)
Michael Connor nominated for top post at Interior Department (7/31)