Ernst & Young LLP announced today that former Assistant Secretary of the Army, Katherine Hammack, has returned to EY in the Government and Public Sector team as an Executive Director. Hammack served more than six years in the Obama Administration as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and the Environment. She was primarily responsible for installation policy, oversight and coordination of energy security and management of Army bases worldwide. She was also responsible for policy and oversight of sustainability and environmental initiatives; resource management including design, military construction, operations and maintenance; base realignment and closure (BRAC); and the Army's installations safety and occupational health programs.

Most notably, Assistant Secretary Hammack was responsible for public-private partnerships (PPPs) on Army installations. The US Army noted that partnerships were said to have increased more under her leadership than at any other time in recent history. This included a majority of Army housing completed restructuring and improved quality housing under the Residential Communities PPP. Army lodging in the continental United States was also privatized, improving the quality of temporary lodging for all service members. Privatization of utilities (electric, gas, water and sewer) was accelerated. Energy efficiency PPPs were streamlined with more than $1 billion in contracts executed. Renewable energy power purchase arrangements were implemented under her leadership, with over 350MW installed to date and another 700MW in development, resulting in lowered energy costs.

Prior to her appointment, Hammack was a leader in Ernst & Young LLP's Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice in Phoenix, Arizona. In that capacity she assisted clients with obtaining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification for their buildings and identification of sustainability strategies.

"We have seen a dramatic increase in the desire for performance improvement and organizational change to deliver sustainable benefits," said Mike Herrinton, Partner and US Government & Public Sector Federal Leader at Ernst & Young LLP. "Katherine's experience will be crucial in helping our clients drive change and deliver on policy intentions. We are thrilled that she has chosen to return to EY in this thriving area of focus for our organization."

"EY is made up of exceptional strategic talent, I'm very excited to be a part of the EY Government practice team," said Katherine Hammack. "I look forward to bringing my 35 years of experience in both the public and private sector, helping maintain EY's high standard of client service and further improve how we help clients strategically drive change to achieve their potential."

Hammack is a graduate of Oregon State University, where she received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. She later received her master's degree from the University of Hartford in Connecticut.

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