Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on Friday said that President Obama has announced his intention to nominate two senior leadership officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Russell Deyo as Under Secretary for Management and Sarah Saldana as Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Saldana, who has been the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas since 2011, has held other positions within the Justice Department and in private practice. She began her career as a middle school language arts teacher in Dallas and also served in several federal agencies between 1974 and 1981, including the Departments of Labor, and Housing and Urban Development, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

U.S. Attorney Sarah Saldana. Photo: Justice Department
U.S. Attorney Sarah Saldana. Photo: Justice Department

ICE is the main investigative arm of DHS and conducts homeland security investigations, enforcement and removal operations related to the nation’s immigration laws. It also operates detention facilities.

Deyo was previously with the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson [JNJ], retiring from the company in 2012. At Johnson & Johnson Deyo held a number of positions during his 27-year career, including vice president and general counsel and vice president of Administration. Before joining Johnson & Johnson, Deyo was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

If confirmed, Deyo will oversee the Directorate for Management at DHS, with responsibility for budget, spending, accounting and finance, procurement, human resources, information technology systems, and facilities and equipment.

Johnson said the nominees will fill the last two vacant senior leadership spots at the department.  He urged the Senate to move quickly on their confirmation.