Former US Homeland Security Secretary and current US Shield special envoy, Kristi L. Noem, has been hired by a British Columbia mineral exploration company.
In an announcement on its website, NovaRed Mining Inc., headquartered in Vancouver, said Noem has joined the company in a “strategic advisory role to support NovaRed’s mission of acquiring and advancing critical mineral exploration opportunities through its AI-enhanced technology platform.”
In March, Noem was was reassigned from her post as secretary of the Department of Homeland Securityafter serving 13 months.
In one post on Social TruthUS President Donald Trump said that Noem, “who has served us well and had many and spectacular results (especially at the border!), will move into the new role of ‘Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas'”.
After the announcement, Noem thanked Trump on her appointment as special envoy for America’s Shield and said she looks forward to working with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
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“The Western Hemisphere is absolutely critical to US security. In this new role, I will be able to build on the national security partnerships and expertise developed over the past 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security,” Noem wrote.
Noem faced criticism while overseeing Trump’s immigration crackdown, including the shooting death of two protesters — Renee Good AND Alex Pretti — in Minneapolis at the hands of immigration enforcement officers. The former South Dakota governor was also criticized for how her department has spent billions of dollars allocated to her by Congress.
NovaRed Mining said Noem has “extensive experience spanning economic development, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, national security and public-private collaboration.”
The company said it also has extensive experience in government affairs, strategic planning, regulatory affairs, stakeholder engagement and large-scale organizational leadership.
Brian Goss, Chief Executive Officer of NovaRed Mining Inc., stated in a statement that, “Kristi brings exceptional leadership experience and a deep understanding of the policy, regulatory and economic factors that affect infrastructure investment, resource development and long-term economic growth.
“Her perspective and experience working in government and industry will be valuable as NovaRed advances its corporate development strategy and evaluates new opportunities.”
Noem also commented in the statement, saying, “I look forward to supporting the Company’s strategic objectives. In an increasingly competitive global environment, safe and reliable access to critical minerals has become an important economic and national security priority.
“NovaRed is pursuing opportunities in sectors that will remain important to long-term growth and supply chain sustainability, and I am excited to contribute my experience in public policy, stakeholder engagement and strategic planning as the Company advances its initiatives.”
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