(Image source from: azfamily.com)

Washington:
The White House has announced that it wants Arizona’s treasurer of state  Jeff DeWit to be the new CFO of NASA. President Trump’s administration nominated DeWit to oversee finances at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Washington, D.C.

In a statement issued on Nov. 29, the Trump administration said that it plans to nominate Jeffrey DeWit, the Treasury of Arizona state, to the post, one of the four, at NASA. But this still requires Senate confirmation. This is an informal announcement to precede a formal nomination later.

No details are disclosed whether or not DeWit would resign from his current post, however, confirmation from the Senate could take months before he actually gets appointed as CFO of NASA officially.

If DeWit accepts this position, Governor Ducey would be appointed a replacement to serve his remaining term.

Debit is a 44-year-old Peoria resident. He said accepting the nomination wasn't easy, "Since the conclusion of last year's presidential election, there has been much speculation as to what my future was going to be, and my response has been and remains that I truly love Arizona and my current role as state treasurer," DeWit said in a statement. "However, when the president of the United States asks you to serve your country, it is my duty to answer the call."

DeWit said his "deep love for the state of Arizona and the opportunity to keep serving the wonderful people here at home is something that constantly tugs at my heart. This is definitely a tough decision."

DeWit has a strong background in finance, but no formal education in space sciences. He founded a trading company named ECHOtrade in 1999 and served as its CEO until he was elected as treasurer of the state of Arizona in 2014. He also worked at Smith Barney and the Chicago Board of Trade prior to his stint with ECHOtrade.

DeWit worked on the campaign of Donald Trump, during the 2016 presidential elections; including serving as chief operating officer and chief financial officer. DeWit had previously announced he would not run for re-election as Arizona Treasurer in 2018. But he is believed to be running for the Senate seat which currently is held by Jeff Flake who is a Republican.

By Minu Manisha