Obama to name Nevadan Heather Murren to cybersecurity panel

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced plans to appoint Heather Murren to the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity.

Murren, a private investor, co-founded the Nevada Cancer Institute where she served as chairwoman from 2002 to 2009 and CEO from 2002 to 2006 and is a member of the Board of Trustees of Johns Hopkins University, where she received a bachelor’s degree, and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.

Murren worked in finance from 1988 to 2002, retiring as managing director, Global Securities Research and Economics at Merrill Lynch.

Her husband is MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO Jim Murren.

Obama’s announcement included several other appointments to the commission.

“I have charged the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity with the critically-important task of identifying the steps that our nation must take to ensure our cybersecurity in an increasingly digital world,” he said in a statement released by the White House.

“These dedicated individuals bring a wealth of experience and talent to this important role, and I look forward to receiving the commission’s recommendations.”

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said he played a role in the appointment.

“Heather Murren is a highly respected Nevadan with decades of policy and real-world experience and a deep commitment to serving her country,” Reid said.

“From her celebrated career in the financial and health care sectors to her important work on the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, Heather has demonstrated a unique ability to innovate while dealing with complex and important issues.”