Regional chamber CEO appointed to draft board
EL CENTRO — Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Daniel Sohn has been appointed as a local board member representing California for the U.S. Selective Service System.
Gov. Gavin Newsom officially nominated Sohn for the post. The appointment was made by President Joe Biden. Sohn said he was notified of his appointment by letter from the Selective Service System’s acting director, Craig Brown, on Oct. 21.
“I am honored to be given this opportunity to serve my country and to represent the State of California by Governor Gavin Newsom and President Joe Biden,” Sohn said in a written statement. “As someone who was not born in the United States, the law dictates that I cannot be President. I am proud to say that at least I can be appointed by one. I am humbled to be asked to serve at the pleasure of the President as a Local Board Member to the Selective Service System.”
Sohn is a naturalized citizen. He was born in Romania in 1991 and was adopted by a couple in the United States when he was 3 months old.
Prior to Sohn’s selection as Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO, he served as a city councilman in Florida. Sohn said it was in Florida he was encouraged to participate in the Presidential Appointments Initiative through an organization he is affiliated with based out of Washington, D.C.
The Selective Service System is an independent agency within the executive branch of the federal government. The director of the Selective Service and its local board members are appointed by the president of the United States. Selective Service is not part of the Department of Defense.
An important component of the Selective Service System is its citizen volunteers who make up the local boards, district and national appeal boards, and the State Resource volunteers who help spread awareness about a man’s requirement to register for military service. Volunteer board members are all chosen using a set of guidelines that ensure capable candidates are appointed.