House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) today announced a number of senior staff changes for the 115^th Congress.

Kiel Weaver, staff director for the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans, is leaving the Committee to join the office of House Speaker Paul Ryan. Beginning May 1, Kiel will serve as the Speaker’s adviser on energy and environment issues. Bill Cooper, staff director for the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, and Rob Gordon, staff director for the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, are also departing the Committee.

“Kiel has been an invaluable member of our staff for many years. His mastery of water and power issues in particular, along with his sense of humor and wit, will be missed. I thank him for his years of dedication to the Committee. The Speaker has made a superb choice and we look forward to working with him in this new role. Bill Cooper and Rob Gordon were absolutely critical in laying the foundation for many of the Committee’s key accomplishments during the 114^th Congress. I thank them for their service and tireless efforts and wish them the very best in future endeavors,” Bishop said. 

William Ball has been appointed as staff director for the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans. For the past two years, Bill served as professional staff on the subcommittee handling oceans and fisheries issues. From 2010-2015, he worked for his home state Senator, Susan Collins of Maine, focusing on fisheries policy and related appropriations. Bill grew up in a generational commercial fishing family in South Thomaston, Maine, where he ran his own fishing business from 2004-2009.

Andrew Vecera has been appointed as staff director for the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. A legislative and regulatory attorney with a background in energy and environmental law, Andrew began work for the Committee in 2013 serving as counsel on oversight issues. For the past two years, he has served as counsel for the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. 

Sang Yi has been appointed as staff director for the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Since August 2016, Sang has served as senior counsel on the subcommittee handling a variety of oversight issues and investigations relating to energy and mineral resources, federal lands, Native Americans, and water resources.  Previously, he served as senior policy advisor for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where he worked for two different chairmen from 2011-2016. A Lieutenant Commander, Sang, has served in the U.S. Navy Reserve since 2003.

"I am excited to announce the senior staff appointments of Bill Ball, Andrew Vecera and Sang Yi,” Bishop stated. “These individuals have become trusted advisors and bring a wealth of expertise and experience to these leadership roles as we begin a robust legislative and oversight agenda in the 115^th.”