President Barack Obama will nominate Sally Jewell, the chief executive officer of Recreational Equipment Inc., to run the Interior Department, according to news reports.

Jewell has led REI in 2000. She also has 19 years of commercial banking experience and has worked for Mobil Oil Corporation in Oklahoma and Colorado.

Jewell currently serves as a regent for the University of Washington. She was nominated twice to the post by tribal-friendly governors but otherwise does not appear to have any direct experience with Indian Country.

If confirmed, Jewell would be the second woman to lead Interior. The first was Gale Norton, who served during the first Bush administration.

Ken Salazar, the current secretary, is stepping down next month.

Get the Story:
Obama to nominate CEO of outdoor equipment giant REI to become interior secretary (The Washington Post 2/6)
Obama Chooses REI Executive to Lead Interior Dept. (The New York Times 2/6)
Administration official says Obama to nominate outdoor retailer executive for Interior Dep’t (AP 2/6)