Cisco Minthorn served as both Associate Director of Legislative Affairs and Senior Advisor for Native American Affairs at the Department of Commerce.  In his role as Associate Director, he oversaw the Department’s legislative agenda with regard to economic development in partnership with the Economic Development Administration, the Minority Business Development Agency, and other bureaus within the Department of Commerce.  In his capacity as Senior Advisor for Native American Affairs, he leads the Department’s government-to-government consultation efforts with American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities, and advises the Secretary on policy matters affecting indigenous communities.

Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Mr. Minthorn served as Counsel and Senior Advisor on Native American Affairs to the House Committee on Natural Resources for Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR).  Prior to his service in the House, Mr. Minthorn served as Counsel to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources under Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR). While working for Chairman Wyden, Mr. Minthorn managed the coal, hard rock mining, alternative fuel vehicles and Native American Affairs portfolio for the Committee. During his time at Senate Energy, Mr. Minthorn also served as Senator Wyden’s personal office Indian Affairs advisor.

Mr. Minthorn began his Capitol Hill career serving as Counsel to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs under Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI).  Before serving in the Senate, Mr. Minthorn worked for a consulting firm in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Minthorn, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, holds both a Juris Doctor and Masters of Urban Planning with a concentration in economic development from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude) from the State University of New York at Buffalo.”