Greek American Michael Rigas has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources. Following the announcement on Friday, the lobbying firm Manatos and Manatos congratulated him on the nomination.
This prestigious nomination has been met with congratulations from various quarters of the Greek American community as it is a gesture of recognition for the contributions of the Greek American community to the nation.
Michael Rigas is an experienced professional with many years of successful work in both the public and private sectors. He is expected to bring this expertise to the State Department, supporting the second Trump Administration.
Trump, in his nomination statement on his own Truth Social, emphasized Rigas’s ability to bring accountability to the department, citing his previous roles in the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget during Trump’s first term.
Manatos and Manatos’ statement on Rigas’ nomination
”We congratulate proud Greek-American Michael J. Rigas who was nominated to become US Deputy Secretary of State, the second-highest ranking position at the US Department of State,” The Manatos and Manatos statement reads regarding Greek American Rigas’ nomination.
The impressive career spans over two decades, including roles in the private, public, and non-profit sectors of the US. His track record includes improving performance and streamlining operations across a large number of institutions where Rigas worked.
Notably, Rigas has served as Senior Advisor and Associate Administrator at the General Services Administration (GSA), Chief of Staff at the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services, and held positions at the Heritage Foundation.
Rigas’s private sector experience also includes the Mellon Financial Corporation and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
In their statement, Manatos and Manatos noted that ”Michael served in the first Trump Administration as Acting Director of the US Office of Personnel Management and Acting Deputy Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget,” adding that ”Michael’s wife Laura also served in the Trump Administration as Principal Deputy Director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs at the US Department of Health and Human Services.”
The educational background of Rigas is equally impressive, with an M.A. in public administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and both a B.A. and an M.A. in economics from Boston University.
Interestingly, Rigas is reportedly involved in Project 2025, a conservative policy and personnel initiative led by the Heritage Foundation. This project aims to prepare for a future conservative administration by offering detailed policy recommendations and building a database of personnel aligned with conservative values.
Who is Manatos and Manatos who congratulated Greek American Michael Rigas
Manatos & Manatos is an established lobbying business with earned trust, credibility, and personal ties that connect its clients with Washington’s most influential political and administration figures.
M&M was founded in 1983 by Andrew E. Manatos and his father Mike N. Manatos. Andy Manatos served as President Jimmy Carter’s Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Legislation and prior to that as a senior aide to Senator Thomas Eagleton (MO) and Senator Gale McGee (WY).
Mike N. Manatos who came to Washington, DC in 1936 to begin his 25 year career in the US Senate, served as President John F. Kennedy’s and then President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Senate Liaison. Mike A. Manatos, the third generation, joined the firm in 1990 upon graduation from Princeton University.
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