Trump Nominates Telle, Sadler For Key Posts
On March 24, President Donald Trump nominated Adam Telle to serve as assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, a civilian leadership position overseeing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ civil works program.
The ASA (CW) is responsible for directing policy and providing oversight of the Corps’ civil works missions, including navigation, flood and storm damage reduction, aquatic ecosystem restoration, hydropower, water supply, regulatory programs and recreation. The position plays a vital role in shaping national water resources infrastructure and ensuring collaboration between the Army, Congress, federal agencies and state and local stakeholders.
Telle currently serves as chief of staff to Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and previously led the Senate affairs team within the White House Office of Legislative Affairs during Trump’s first term. Earlier in his career, Telle served in senior roles for Sens. Richard Shelby and Thad Cochran. A native of Alabama, he is a graduate of Mississippi State University with degrees in computer science and communication.
Telle’s nomination now goes to the Senate for consideration. The confirmation process typically includes committee hearings followed by a full Senate vote. While timing can vary, historical precedent offers some guidance: Michael Connor, nominated by President Joe Biden, was confirmed about seven months after his nomination in 2021. R.D. James, nominated during Trump’s first term, was confirmed approximately four months after his nomination in 2017.
Trump also has nominated Brent Sadler to be the next head of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration. MarAd oversees policy and grants related to waterborne transportation in the United States.
Sadler, a senior research fellow focusing on naval warfare and advanced technology at the Heritage Foundation, is a 1994 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a degree in robotics and a minor in Japanese. A decade later, he was an Olmsted Scholar in Tokyo, studying at Keio University, Jochi University and the United Nations University. He holds a Master of Arts from Jochi University and a Master of Science from the National War College. Sadler’s 26-year career in the Navy included multiple tours aboard nuclear submarines. He also served in a diplomatic role in Asia. His final assignment with the Navy was as part of the China branch staff at the Pentagon. With the Heritage Foundation, Sadler has focused on maritime security and the way technologies will shape the future of maritime forces. Sadler has authored a pair of books, including U.S. Naval Power in the 21st Century: A New Strategy for Facing the Chinese and Russian Threat and the forthcoming Naval Power in Action: Seizing the Initiative in the New Cold War with China.
The Senate received Sadler’s nomination the same day as Telle’s.
