Heather Zichal served as the Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change. Heather served as the Policy Director for Energy, Environment and Agriculture for Senator Obama's presidential campaign and on the transition team. Prior to this, Heather served as the Legislative Director to Senator John Kerry where she coordinated domestic and foreign policy. In 2004, she was responsible for the Kerry campaign's energy and environment policies. Heather also served as Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and U.S. Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ). During her tenure in the government, Heather has been highly involved in initiatives to create green jobs, tackle climate change, reduce dependence on oil, and protect natural treasures like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Most recently, Heather helped coordinate the federal response to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster. Heather grew up in Elkader and is a graduate of Rutgers University.