WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 13, 2017 - On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Susan Combs to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget for the Department of Interior. A native of Texas, Combs has served as the first female agriculture commissioner, state comptroller and as a two-term Texas House Representative. In her new role, Combs will serve as the Department's Chief Financial Officer, Chief Acquisition Officer and Chief Performance Officer, playing a key role in the fiscal and policy responsibilities and developments of Interior. The Department of Interior (DOI) oversees the management and conservation of public lands, natural resources and wildlife in the United States.

"I have known Susan for nearly 20 years and worked with her in Texas when she was Commissioner of Agriculture," said Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall."She is highly qualified and will bring a no-nonsense approach to doing the business of the Department of the Interior. We encourage a speedy confirmation by the Senate for this important position."

For more than 20 years, Combs has served as an elected official in the state of Texas. A multi-generation Texan, Combs has managed her family's cattle ranch in Big Bend, Texas, for more than 30 years. She has been a leader in the management of wildlife and habitat for private landowners, as well as recognizing hunting and the importance hunters play in wildlife management. A strong advocate for science-based management, Combs has helped the state of Texas in the management and recovery of endangered species in her time as state comptroller.

One of DU's highest priorities when working with DOI is continued administration of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). Since its inception in 1989, grants from NAWCA have totaled more than $1.4 billion and have leveraged $2.9 billion in non-federal contributions from partners, impacting more than 33.4 million acres. These contributions have far exceeded the match requirements, allowing for the successful implementation of wetland habitat conservation projects across North America.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 14 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.

Media Contact:
Tucker Nelson
(202) 347-1530
tnelson@ducks.org