The 24th Class of Mike Mansfield Fellows

Michel Call

• Engineer, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Objective: Gain an understanding of Japan’s approach to spent nuclear fuel management and radioactive material transportation. Learn how technical challenges are being addressed in the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Follow post-accident forensics efforts, how Japan is changing its approach to nuclear reactor decommissioning, and how the country is improving its understanding of severe accidents. Exchange relevant experience and develop relationships to support U.S.-Japan interactions and inform U.S. regulatory activities.

Lindsey Constantino

• International Transportation Specialist, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation
• Objective: Develop a comprehensive understanding of Japan’s transportation and regulatory systems.  More specifically, learn how hazardous materials are transported domestically and internationally. Understand how the Japanese government collaborates with private industry on regulatory matters and develops national and international policy. Utilize this knowledge to facilitate the safe and secure trade of hazardous materials between the United States and Japan.

Anna Krueger

• Economist, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, Environmental Protection Agency
• Objective: Gain understanding of Japan’s environmental policy, focusing on waste management, and risk management systems relating to natural disasters and climate change. Explore how Japan aims to understand and mitigate both environmental and financial risks in these areas. Observe how the Japanese government works with stakeholders in industry, prefectural and municipal governments, and internationally to develop and implement impactful programs. Build relationships and identify potential areas for US-Japan collaboration.

Ho-Joon Lim

• International Program Manager, Aviation Safety/Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration
• Objective: Learn Japan’s approach to growing their national aviation programs.  Develop new relationships and strengthen current partnerships with Japanese officials and aviation professionals to advance U.S./Japan aligned goals. As a newcomer to the large commercial aircraft market, work with Japanese officials to understand and share challenges of managing State of Design/State of Manufacturing duties under International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

John McLaughlin

• Education Program Specialist/Federal Program Coordinator, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education
• Objective: Achieve a better comparative understanding of educational policymaking at the national, prefectural, and local levels in Japan, with a focus on social issues including immigration, disadvantaged students living in poverty, and child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Observe how the Japanese government engages with international organizations. Upon return, collaborate with Japanese officials and researchers, and work more directly in national and international policymaking in social development and public diplomacy.

Branden Turnbough

• Logistics Officer, Captain, U.S. Air Force
• Objective: Understand logistically how Japan provides humanitarian aid and disaster relief locally and internationally. Apply the knowledge learned to enhance the U.S. Air Force’s ability to detect, prepare, and respond to international disaster events in the Pacific region in cooperation with contacts gained through the Fellowship. Learn about Japan Self Defense Force’s officer training and share insights to initial U.S. Air Force officer development to synchronize philosophies in preparation for bilateral events as they arise.

Alec Weltzien

• Citizen Services Specialist, Consular Affairs, Department of State
• Objective: Understand how the Japanese government protects its nationals abroad, and how it integrates this bedrock priority into its foreign policy framework. Forge relationships between the consular services in our governments in areas such as crisis preparedness and planning. On my return to the State Department, use the connections and insight gained to improve the way we protect and serve U.S. citizens abroad.

Leopold Wetula

• Project Development Lead, Build America Bureau, Office of the Under Secretary for Policy, Department of Transportation
• Objective: Learn about how transportation and other social infrastructure in Japan is developed, financed, and delivered— especially high-speed rail, stations, and transit-oriented development. Gain insight into the policy- and decision-making processes behind Japanese domestic infrastructure investment and international infrastructure cooperation. Foster person-to-person and government-to-government connections between the United States and Japan in ways that support U.S. DOT’s mission of ensuring fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation.

Courtney Yountz

• Strategic Electromagnetic Spectrum Manager, Gunnery Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
• Objective: Develop an understanding of the Government of Japan’s radio frequency spectrum allocation process and how it relates to United States Marine Corps spectrum support requirements within the host nation. Provide the Marine Component of United States Forces Japan with a Marine who possesses the skills, contacts, and expertise to understand the radio frequency spectrum allocation process within Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Ann Zachariah

• Attorney-Advisor, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
• Objective: Develop an in-depth understanding of how the Japanese government interacts with the trade community to facilitate lawful trade. Learn about the legal tools the Japanese government uses to promote compliance with customs and border security requirements. Return to U.S. federal government service with an understanding of shared goals and areas for potential collaboration in customs and trade enforcement.