Obama aide from Cave-In-Rock enjoying life in Washington
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Katie Pennell, a native of Cave-In-Rock, has had an exciting journey from the halls of Southeastern Illinois College, where she graduated in 2004, to the Obama Administration.
Pennell currently is appointed to the Office of Personnel Management's Congressional and Legislative Affairs office. The office's mission is planning, coordinating and directing a comprehensive effort to inform Congress of the president and OPM's plans and activities that have a bearing on proposed or desired legislation. OPM/CLA also develops strategies for achieving the president's agenda and OPM's legislative program, according to a news release from SIC.
Pennell is the daughter of Ernie and Kathy Pennell and grew up in their small cabin in Hardin County on the edge of the Shawnee National Forest.
While attending SIC, Katie participated in various activities such as the Math and Science Club, Student Ambassadors, Student Government and Model Illinois Government, a class that trains students in the processes of Illinois state government.
"I entered SIC with a strong interest in government that was sparked by my dad's involvement in the UMWA," Pennell said in the news release.
Dad was disabled when I was little, and I learned early on the power government has to affect people's lives. All it would have taken is one judge's decision to cancel our family's health insurance and my dad's pension. MIG gave me invaluable insight into the process of government and the necessary background to know that I wanted to have a career in government."
After school, Pennell pursued her interest in government with internships for state Rep. Brandon Phelps in his Harrisburg office and the Laborers' International Union of North America Midwest Regional Office in Springfield.
"Interning for Representative Phelps was invaluable in helping me to understand different concerns and perspectives. It was an honor to have a hand in trying to help people in Southern Illinois. And my time with the Laborers' reaffirmed my commitment to workers," Pennell said.
While with the union, Pennell interviewed for a position with then-Sen. Barack Obama's staff and became the director of his Marion office.
After Obama was elected president, Pennell moved to Washington and served as a senior correspondence analyst on the White House staff. She was then appointed to the OPM Congressional and Legislative Affairs office.
"Working for the President has been a wonderful honor that I never imagined when I was growing up," Pennell said. "I couldn't have achieved it if it weren't for a lot of great people who believed in me along the way. My parents, sisters and Granny and Pa Potts and my Uncle Burt are my go-to support system. Also, caring teachers like Matt Lees at SIC and role models such as former Senator Paul Simon gave me the confidence I needed to succeed
"My time at SIC had a great deal to do with where I am today. It provided me with a wonderful base to my education and some of the best friends of my life."