U.S. Department of the Interior
Minerals Management Service
Office of Communications

NEWS RELEASE

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR POST FILLED AT MMS

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) announced that Dr. Walter D. Cruickshank has been selected to serve as the Associate Director for Policy and Management Improvement (PMI). "Walter Cruickshank will be a valuable asset to the MMS management team. I'm confident that his solid educational accomplishments together with his extensive mineral economics experience will enhance management decisions and serve the mission of the agency well," remarked MMS Director Cynthia Quarterman.

Effective immediately, Cruickshank will be responsible for managing MMS-wide program evaluations and special studies, developing policy options and recommendations, coordinating policy input to proposed rules and regulations, overseeing adjudication of industry appeals, and providing managerial direction for MMS strategic planning and reinvention efforts. "There was intense competition from a number of outstanding candidates from within MMS and from a variety of outside organizations. The MMS is fortunate to have attracted the interest of such high caliber people for this position," noted Director Quarterman.

A career federal employee, Cruickshank most recently served as the Washington Division Chief, Policy and Management Improvement for MMS. He began his career as an economist in 1985 with the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary. Three years later, he joined MMS with responsibilities in offshore minerals analysis and economic and leasing policy.

Among his many accomplishments, Cruickshank was instrumental in implementing the Deep Water Royalty Relief Act. He has also made substantial contributions on coastal impact assistance, the Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing program, energy policy, royalty policy, and marine mining. Throughout his government career, he has received numerous special achievement awards.

Cruickshank attended Cornell University receiving a B.A. in Geological Sciences in 1981. He earned his Ph.D. in Mineral Economics from Pennsylvania State University in 1985.

-MMS-

MMS Internet website address: http://www.mms.gov
MMS's 24 hour Fax-on-Demand Service: (202) 219-1703