Dr. Haga is currently the Senior Administrator for Economic Engagement and Executive Secretary for Skills where he is responsible for the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) – U.S. Department of Commerce international portfolio and major thought leadership. As a member of EDA’s senior staff, he is also the Department of Commerce’s lead for workforce development and skills across all twelve bureaus of the Department. As the “Chief Geek” of EDA, he inspires communities to think differently in the new economy to increase the prospect of advancing commerce and trade between economies and accelerate business opportunities to create jobs.

Prior to this, he was the Senior Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist. As a senior member of the division, he assisted in coordinating two major offices (the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and the Office of the Executive Secretariat). Before joining EDA, he worked at the U.S. Department of Labor advising senior leadership on economic development, workforce, competency modeling, and outreach projects relating to healthcare, alternative energy, and manufacturing. His other employment experience includes working for the Florida Community College System, the Florida Office of the Attorney General, the Florida Department of Education, the United States Senate, and the United States House of Representatives. Dr. Haga holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development; a M.P.A. in Public Administration and Policy from the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University; and a double B.A. in Political Science and Greek and Roman Studies from Rhodes College.