About the Speakers
Nancy Erickson '84Secretary of the Senate, Washington, D.C.
Topic: Lessons Learned While Overseeing the United States Senate
Nancy Erickson began her career in Washington, D.C. in 1987 with the General Accounting Office’s audit sites at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Following her selection as a Presidential Management Intern (PMI) in 1988, Nancy gained insight into management activities at the Department of Health and Human Service’s Health Care Financing Administration, which oversaw Medicare and Medicaid operations. Nancy concluded her rotations in the PMI program as a fellow in the Office of Senator Tom Daschle, where she ultimately accepted a legislative staff position.
A sixteen year veteran of Senator Daschle’s staff, Nancy held a variety of positions in the legislative, scheduling, and constituent outreach functions of the office. She was named Deputy Chief of Staff following Senator Daschle’s election as Democratic Leader. Most recently, Nancy has served as the Democratic Representative in the Senate Sergeant at Arms (SAA) office, a position appointed by Senator Harry Reid.
Erickson, a native of South Dakota, received bachelor of arts degrees in Government and History from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1984. She also earned a M.A. in public policy from the American University in Washington, D.C. in 1987.
Nancy, her husband and their two children reside in Washington, D.C. She enjoys reading and cheering from the soccer sidelines on weekends. Nancy is an avid sports enthusiast and closely follows the fortunes of the Minnesota Twins and the Green Bay Packers. Nancy is a member of Reformation Lutheran Church where she teaches Sunday School.
Dr. John Hamre '72
President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C.
Topic: Global Issues confronting the New President
John Hamre was elected CSIS President and CEO in January 2000. Before joining CSIS, he served as the 26th U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense. Prior to holding that post, he was the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) (1993-1997). As Comptroller, Dr. Hamre was the principal assistant to the Secretary of Defense for the preparation, presentation, and execution of the defense budget and management improvement programs. In 2007 Secretary Gates appointed Dr. Hamre to serve as chairman of the Defense Policy Board.
Before serving in the Department of Defense, Dr. Hamre worked for ten years as a professional staff member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. During this time he was primarily responsible for the oversight and evaluation of procurement, research, and development programs, defense budget issues and relations with the Senate Appropriations Committee.
From 1978 to 1984, Dr. Hamre served in the Congressional Budget Office, where he became its Deputy Assistant Director for National Security and International Affairs. In that position, he oversaw analysis and other support for committees in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Dr. Hamre received his Ph.D., with distinction, in 1978 from the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University. His studies focused on international politics and economics and U.S. foreign policy. In 1972, he received a B.A., with high distinction, from Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, emphasizing political science and economics. The following year he studied as a Rockefeller Fellow at the Harvard Divinity School.
Dr. Hamre is married to the former Julia Pfanstiehl, and they reside in Bethesda, Maryland.
Dr. Joel Johnson & Dr. Brent Lerseth
Assistant Professors of Government and International Affairs, Augustana College
Topic: Reactions to Yesterday's Elections