Arizona Treasurer Jeff DeWit to be nominated for key role at NASA
Nov 29, 2017, 7:04 PM | Updated: Nov 30, 2017, 8:22 pm
Jeff DeWit steps into an elevator at Trump Tower, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
PHOENIX — Arizona State Treasurer Jeff DeWit is expected to be nominated to a key position at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the White House announced Wednesday.
The White House said the president intends to nominate DeWit as NASA’s chief financial officer.
The announcement praised DeWit’s experience as the state treasurer and chairman of the Arizona State Board of Investments and listed them as reasons for his impending nomination.
DeWit “oversees a nearly $14 billion investment portfolio of state, local and trust assets and handles over $30 billion a year in state transactions,” the White House said.
If confirmed by the Senate, DeWit said he would resign his statewide elected office, although that could be months from now.
“By the time I get through the Senate confirmation it could be near the very end of my term anyway,” he said. “So it’s really good timing.
“I’ve been offered many positions before this but I wanted to wait until at least I’m in the last year of my term, which this basically is now,” DeWit said.
In a statement, acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot called the move “encouraging.”
“Jeff’s solid financial background will be a tremendous addition as we continue to advance our nation’s aeronautic and exploration initiatives,” Lightfoot said.
Related: Arizona State Sen. Kimberly Yee to run for treasurer
Before he was nominated as treasurer, DeWit served as the CEO of ECHOtrade and as a market maker on the exchange floor in Chicago during his 25-year career in finance.
DeWit also served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer on Trump’s campaign in 2016.
Before Wednesday’s announcement, DeWit was among the politicians who were rumored to get involved in the race for U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake’s seat in 2018.
The move was one of several announced by the White House in an effort to fill key positions in President Donald Trump’s administration.
The White House also announced that the president intends to nominate Marvin Goodfriend to the Federal Reserve’s Board of Directors and Thomas Workman with the Life Insurance Council of New York to the Financial Stability Oversight Council.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
