PIC 2021, Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2020

Presidential Inaugural Committee Outlines Initial Plans to Honor American Traditions and Protect Public Health

PIC Announces Chief Medical Advisor and Production Hires to Pioneer New Inaugural Events and Safely Engage Americans Across the Country

PIC Urges Americans to Stay Home, Refrain from Travel, and Limit Gatherings 
During the Inauguration

WASHINGTON — Today, in consultation with medical experts advising President-elect Joe Biden, the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) is announcing initial protocols to protect public health during the inauguration. In close coordination with the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), PIC is working to ensure that the inauguration of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris honors and resembles sacred American traditions while keeping Americans safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19.
 
On January 20, President-elect Biden and Vice-President-elect Harris will take their oaths of office at the U.S. Capitol during a historic ceremony that includes vigorous health and safety protocols. President-elect Biden will also deliver an inaugural address that lays out his vision to beat the virus, build back better, and bring the country together. The ceremony’s footprint will be extremely limited, and the parade that follows will be reimagined. The PIC is urging the public to refrain from any travel and participate in the inaugural activities from home. Additional details will be released in the coming days and weeks in partnership with the JCCIC.
 
"Our goal is to create an inauguration that keeps people safe, honors the grand traditions of the Presidency, and showcases the Biden-Harris Administration’s renewed American vision for an inclusive, equitable, and unified citizenry,” said PIC CEO Tony Allen.
 
The PIC is also announcing that Dr. David Kessler will join as PIC’s Chief Medical Advisor. Dr. Kessler is the former Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and counseled the Biden campaign on its health and safety protocol since the pandemic’s onset. The PIC will consult with additional medical experts, and it has hired professional staff dedicated to health and safety protocols.
 
PIC has hired a team of seasoned production experts to put together a new and innovative program that provides opportunities for all Americans to participate safely in the inauguration, which will be announced in the coming weeks. Stephanie Cutter and Ricky Kirshner are joining as Executive Producers and Rod O’Connor is joining as Senior Advisor. The trio brings with them a diverse group of award-winning professionals with decades of experience envisioning and producing some of the nation’s most-watched events, including Democratic National Conventions, presidential inaugurations, Super Bowl halftime shows, Tony Awards, and more.
 
“President-elect Biden’s unwavering commitment to the safety of the American people is our North Star as we plan an inauguration that protects public health while honoring inaugural traditions and engaging Americans across the country. We are excited to share more information soon about the new and innovative ways all Americans can watch and participate in a historic inauguration that will unify our country,” said PIC Executive Director Maju Varghese.
 
“The pandemic is continuing to have a significant public health impact across the nation. Americans everywhere must do their part to slow the spread of the virus: wear masks, stay home, and limit gatherings. We are asking Americans to participate in inaugural events from home to protect themselves, their families, friends, and communities,” said PIC Chief Medical Advisor Dr. David Kessler.
 
The PIC will continue to announce further details about events and how Americans can participate as it becomes available in the coming weeks.
 
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The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) 2021 is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization and separate entity from the Biden-Harris Transition charged with planning and executing activities surrounding the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

PIC 2021, Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2020

Presidential Inaugural Committee Announces Co-Chairs

WASHINGTON — Today, the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced Co-Chairs for the Inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris:

  • Rep. James E. Clyburn (Chair)
  • Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
  • Mayor Eric Garcetti
  • Rep. Cedric Richmond
  • Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester
“Kamala and I are honored and grateful to these leaders for joining our inaugural committee as co-chairs and helping to organize a safe inauguration for all Americans. These leaders reflect the strength, spirit, and diversity of America and have always held a steadfast commitment to restoring the soul of the nation, building back the middle class, and unifying the country. We are proud of their support and know they will help plan an inauguration that will reflect our nation’s shared values,” said President-elect Joe Biden.
 
The Chair and Co-Chairs all offered statements about their roles and the inauguration:
 
“This will be one of the most important inaugurations in America’s history as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn-in as our next President and Vice President of the United States and prepare to tackle the great crises and challenges facing our country. I am proud to be a part of this history as Chair of their Presidential Inaugural Committee. The peaceful transfer of power surrounding the inauguration is a bedrock of American democracy that represents our nation’s highest ideals. This inauguration will show the country and the world something I have always known: we know Joe, and Joe knows us,” said House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn.
 
“I am humbled to become a part of the inauguration for President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris as a Co-Chair. This inauguration will exemplify the strength and resilience our country has demonstrated throughout this entire year and set the stage for how the Biden-Harris Administration will beat the pandemic, create jobs that fuel economic recovery, and unite all Americans. While we are going to focus on keeping people safe this year, we will make sure Americans have the opportunity to celebrate this pivotal moment for our country,” said Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
 
“I am honored to join the Presidential Inaugural Committee as a Co-Chair to help organize a historic inauguration for President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris that will engage Americans in every corner of the country and keep people safe. This inauguration will mark a turning point for Americans to unite and start building back better together, for generations to come. As we grapple with threats to our health, livelihoods and climate, this is a time for Americans to come together, work together and move forward together,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
 
“It is my deep honor to become a Co-Chair for the inauguration of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris. This inauguration will mark the day we begin to restore the soul of the nation and leaders who will showcase America’s honor, decency, and strength. While this year’s inaugural events will look different, we are going to keep everybody safe and empower Americans all across the country to celebrate this historic moment,” said Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond.
 
“Delaware sent Joe Biden to the Senate 48 years ago and now America is sending him to the White House. I am proud to serve as Co-Chair on the Presidential Inaugural Committee for President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris as we create an inauguration that keeps people safe and allows Americans across the country to participate in this part of history. As our country faces significant challenges, I know this inauguration will reflect President-elect Biden’s profound empathy for others, commitment to uniting the country, and relentless optimism for our future,” said Delaware Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester.
 
The Co-Chairs will help guide PIC through the planning and organizing of historic inaugural activities that will prioritize keeping people safe while engaging Americans across the country.
 
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The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) 2021 is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization and separate entity from the Biden-Harris Transition charged with planning and executing activities surrounding the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

PIC 2021, Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2020

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Form Presidential Inaugural Committee

Initial Senior Leadership Team Announced

Online Presence and Store Unveiled at BidenInaugural.org and @BidenInaugural

WASHINGTON — Today, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are forming a Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) to organize activities surrounding their swearing-in on January 20, 2021, announcing the initial senior leadership team who will lead PIC and unveiling its online presence.
 
The team announced today to lead PIC includes:
  • Tony Allen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer*
  • Maju Varghese, Executive Director
  • Erin Wilson, Deputy Executive Director
  • Yvanna Cancela, Deputy Executive Director
*Serving in personal capacity
 
“I’ve known and loved the Biden family for 25 years and am deeply humbled to help organize the historic inauguration of a good and decent patriot during an unprecedented time in our country. As the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden alongside Kamala Harris, the first woman of color to be elected Vice President of the United States, will work hard for all Americans and lead us towards our nation’s highest calling — ‘a more perfect union,’” said Tony Allen, PIC Chief Executive Officer. This year's inauguration will look different amid the pandemic, but we will honor the American inaugural traditions and engage Americans across the country while keeping everybody healthy and safe.”
 
“It is an honor to help lead the team that will plan the inaugural activities for President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris while keeping their commitment to protecting the health and safety of Americans and demonstrating the strength and resilience of our nation,” said Maju Varghese, PIC Executive Director. “This historic inauguration will serve as the launching pad for the Biden-Harris Administration to get to work on day one and beat the pandemic, build back our economy better, and unify our country.”
 
Additionally, the PIC is also unveiling its website at BidenInaugural.org, which includes a web store with exclusive inaugural merchandise and collectables. The PIC is also launching its social media presence on Instagram and Twitter under the handle @BidenInaugural where Americans can visit for the latest news and information about the inauguration.
 
The PIC will work closely with the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) to coordinate all activities surrounding the 59th inaugural ceremonies, prioritizing keeping people safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19 while engaging all Americans.
 
Additional details about the PIC and inaugural activities will be announced in the coming days and weeks.
 
SENIOR TEAM BIOGRAPHIES
 
Tony Allen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer
Tony Allen, Ph.D., is the President of Delaware State University (DSU), one of the nation’s premiere public Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Before being appointed President, Dr. Allen served as Executive Vice President and Provost at DSU and previously led Bank of America’s corporate reputation group. He is also the Founding President of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League and co-Founder of Public Allies Delaware. In the 90’s, Allen worked in then-Senator Biden’s office as a Special Assistant and Speechwriter. 

 
Maju Varghese, Executive Director
Maju Varghese was Chief Operating Officer and Senior Advisor on the Biden-Harris campaign from the primaries through the general, overseeing the campaign’s day-to-day operations and leading the entire campaign through an unprecedented shift to remote working. He previously served in the Obama White House in various roles, including Assistant to the President for Management and Administration and Deputy Director of Advance. He has also worked as the Chief Operating Officer at The Hub Project and a Senior Advisor at the law firm Dentons.
 
Erin Wilson, Deputy Executive Director
Erin Wilson served as the Biden-Harris campaign’s National Political Director throughout the primary and general elections, the senior staff member responsible for relationships with hundreds of elected officials and leaders across the country. Previously, Wilson was a senior aide in Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey’s office, most recently serving as his State Director and Senior Advisor to his 2018 reelection. She is also a Hillary for America and Democratic National Committee alumna.
 
Yvanna Cancela, Deputy Executive Director
Yvanna Cancelea serves as a Nevada State Senator and was one of Joe Biden’s earliest elected supporters, endorsing him the day he announced his campaign. Cancela was a senior advisor in Nevada during the primary election, helping steer Biden’s comeback, as well as in the general election to secure another victory in the Silver State. Previously, Cancela was Executive Director of the Immigrant Workers Citizenship Project and Political Director at the Culinary Union in Las Vegas.
 
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The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) 2021 is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization and separate entity from the Biden-Harris Transition charged with planning and executing activities surrounding the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.



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