Office of the Secretary

Immediate Release: August 9, 2001

Contact: Mark Pfeifle 202/208-6416

Interior Secretary Norton Appoints James Cason
Associate Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior
- "Jim will be invaluable in listening to all citizens to help protect our nation's public lands" -

(WASHINGTON) - Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today appointed James E. Cason to serve as Associate Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of the Interior. The position is not subject to U.S. Senate confirmation.

"Jim will be a tremendous asset to our leadership team," Norton said. "He brings proven experience from both the private sector and government service. Jim will be invaluable in listening to all citizens to help conserve and protect our nation's public lands."

Cason was recently vice president of risk management for the Niagara Falls, N.Y.-based Unifrax Corporation, an international manufacturing firm specializing in energy saving products. Cason managed the corporation's health, safety and environmental quality program, property and casualty insurance program, product liability litigation, and worked with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Jim also worked with Canada's equivalent to the EPA, Environment Canadian.

Prior to that, Cason worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as a manager for the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation from 1990 to 1993. Before that he served as acting assistant secretary and principal deputy assistant secretary of the Interior Department for Land and Minerals Management from 1985 to 1990. From 1982 to 1985, he served as special assistant to the director of Interior's Bureau of Land Management.

Cason, formerly from Portland, Ore., recently resided in Youngstown, N.Y. Cason earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and graduated magna cum laude from Pacific University.

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