Reclamation Commissioner selects Rob Manning as Chief of Public Affairs

Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman announces the selection of Rob Manning, former Pentagon spokesperson, as Reclamation’s chief of Public Affairs.

“Rob Manning is an outstanding addition to our team, as he brings a unique blend of experience leading and communicating at a senior level,” said Commissioner Burman. “We look forward to Rob’s unique perspective and expertise as Reclamation continues executing its mission to manage, develop and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner in the interest of the American public.”

As chief of Public Affairs, Manning is responsible for overseeing a national communications strategy in support of the Bureau of Reclamation’s focus on managing our nation’s water and hydropower resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner.

Manning served 28 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a colonel. His career includes assignments as the director of Public Affairs for the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, media advisor for the 30th Under Secretary of the U.S. Army, and as the director of Public Affairs for U.S. Forces Korea and the United Nations Command in Seoul, South Korea. From 2017 to 2019, Manning served as the Pentagon spokesperson, director of Defense Press Operations, and as the senior military advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. Prior to joining the Bureau of Reclamation, Manning served as the vice president of communications for the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.