It is along with profound gratitude and regard that I thank Brian L. McKeon for his assistance to the Department and the United states people as Deputy Admin of State for Administration and Resources.
On behalf of the Department, I thank Brian for his dedication – to our nation, its ideals, its people. I’ll skip him. And I wish him and his family all the best in their next chapter.
John has dedicated his whole distinguished career – spanning more than three decades, across all three branches of our govt – to advancing U. S. diplomacy and nationwide security, and to supporting the individuals who carry out this crucial work.
They have brought each of these qualities in order to his leadership as Mouthpiece Secretary. Brian’s steady hand guided us through the previous several years of the COVID-19 outbreak, and will ensure we emerge stronger from it. He has helped lead our hard work to modernize American diplomacy, creating a Department that’s less risk averse, more nimble, and better positioned to address the issues of the 21st century. His commitment to the workforce, and his issue for the safety and actual physical and mental health of every employee and family member, made the lives of our individuals better. And his work to build and retain a labor force that reflects one of America’s greatest strengths – our own diversity – will leave a lasting imprint with this institution.
President Biden asked Brian to serve in this function because he knew no one was better suited to look out for the particular Department’s most important asset: our own people.
Brian and I first met decades ago as Senate staffers. Since then, I’ve relied on him as a colleague plus friend whose integrity, intellectual rigor, and selflessness convey the highest values of open public service.
