GSA announces new political appointees, promotions

September 09, 2024

WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced multiple new political appointments and promotions today. 

Tadeh Issakhanian is joining GSA as Senior Advisor to the Administrator for Climate. Prior to joining GSA, he was a senior director level consultant at Deloitte focused on sustainable transportation, energy and technology implementation, where he partnered closely with the Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and multiple other government and commercial entities. Tadeh has also served as a senior consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton, as a congressional staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives, and as an air quality specialist at the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Tadeh earned an M.B.A. and a bachelor’s degree from the California State University-Fresno.

Thomas Berry is joining as Special Assistant to the Deputy Administrator. Tom served as a Special Assistant at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in both the Office of Intergovernmental & External Affairs and the Office of Administration. Prior to that, he served on multiple presidential campaigns and inauguration committees. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Central Michigan University.

Tenzin Pelkyi will serve as a policy advisor in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. Prior to joining GSA, she served as the congressional lead at the International Committee of the Red Cross, a legislative director in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as in legal fellowship roles with the U.S. Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Morgan Carrico has been promoted to Deputy White House Liaison in the Office of the Administrator. She joined GSA as Special Assistant to the Regional Administrator (R9 & R10) and previously served as a White House intern supporting the Office of the Vice President’s policy priorities and various task forces. Carrico was also a legal fellow for the City of St. Louis, an intern at the Clinton Foundation, and a public affairs specialist in the private sector. She earned her Juris Doctor from Washington University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College.  

Brandon Faske has been promoted to Senior Advisor in the Office of the General Counsel. He joined GSA as Oversight Attorney in August 2023, bringing with him a wealth of legal experience. Faske has worked on civil litigation, government investigations, voting rights, criminal justice reform, and many other areas in recent years. He has also worked in various settings, including a law firm, campaigns, nonprofits, and the corporate sector. He is a graduate of Tulane University, where he earned his Juris Doctorate and his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.  

Nicolas Valbuena has been promoted to Special Assistant to the Administrator in the Office of the Administrator. He joined GSA as Special Assistant to the Regional Administrator (R4 & R7). Prior to joining GSA, Valbuena served as secretary general at American University’s International Relations Society where he led over 200 staff. He also served as a diplomacy lab student research analyst for the State Department mission in Cairo. He earned his bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Economics at American University and is completing his master’s degree in Global Health at Georgetown University.

###

About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing over $100 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.