Two former Heritage Foundation employees, David Muhlhausen and Judy Mayka Stecker, were appointed recently to positions in the Trump administration.

David Muhlhausen worked at Heritage as an analyst in the Center for Data Analysis. He served as a leading expert in evaluating the effectiveness of federal social programs and often testified before Congress on the issue. In July he was named director of the National Institute of Justice.

On April 6, Attorney General Jeff Sessions named Muhlhausen as Executive Director of Federal Interagency Council on Crime Prevention and Improving Reentry (FIRC).

The FIRC is part of President Trump’s effort to encourage prison reform, reduce recidivism, combat crime, and improve public safety.

"Recidivism rates in this country are unacceptably high," Sessions said in announcing Muhlhausen’s position. "That means more costs for society, more dangerous work for our law enforcement officers, and more crime. That's why, under President Trump's leadership, the Department of Justice is committed to improving outcomes for those reintegrating into society who want to abide by our laws.

“The FIRC plays a critical role in making that progress possible, and so I want to thank Director Muhlhausen for his willingness to serve and for his hard work on this issue already. I am confident that he will be a success in this new position," Sessions said.

Stecker worked in Heritage’s broadcast services department as a senior media associate before she moved on to lead the American Enterprise Institute's media department. She was appointed April 12 by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar as assistant secretary for public affairs.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs conducts national public affairs programs, provides centralized leadership and guidance for public affairs activities within HHS' staff and operating divisions and regional offices, manages the department’s digital communications, and administers the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts.

“Heritage wishes the best of luck to David and Judy in their Administration roles”, said Heritage Executive Vice President Kim Holmes. “I know that they look forward to making real contributions to the important work done by the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services.”