Former DOE staff chief spearheads alumni group

The Department of Energy’s former chief of staff during President Joe Biden’s administration last week announced the formation of a new DOE alumni network.

The group, which will hire an executive director, is being created following “hundreds of survey responses and many dozens of conversations” with ex-DOE feds, former DOE chief of staff Tarak Shah, said last week on LinkedIn.

“The network will serve as a platform to stay connected and keep making an impact in support of DOE’s mission,” Shah said on the social media platform. “We’ve secured funding, an initial advisory board of fabulous former DOE Leaders, and are opening our search for an executive director. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for a membership intake form!”

In addition to career support, the alumni group will also help former DOE staff, who have departed via retirement, buyouts or layoffs, be part of a platform for networking and “advocacy,” according to documents attached to the announcement.

“Departing DOErs have unmatched expertise in science, energy, clean up, and nuclear security,” according to the alumni network materials shared with Shah’s announcement.