Utahn gets government nomination

The White House has nominated Troy R. Justesen of Utah to be assistant secretary for vocational and adult education at the Education Department, according to an announcement made Monday.

Justesen is now the deputy assistant secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

The Senate will need to confirm his nomination.

Justesen has also served as deputy commissioner for the Rehabilitation Services Administration and as associate director for the Domestic Policy Council at the White House — a position also held by his twin brother, Tracey Justesen, who works at the Justice Department.

Justesen received his bachelor's and master's degrees in vocational rehabilitation counseling from Utah State University in Logan and a doctorate of education from Vanderbilt University. He began his career as an assistive technology coordinator at the Northern Utah Center for Independent Living in Logan.