After a 34-year-career at the Bureau of Reclamation, John W. Keys was happily retired in Moab, Utah, when one day last summer the phone rang. The caller, whom Keys identifies as "a friend of Reclamation," asked if he had considered being the bureau's chief. Keys replied that he hadn't given it a thought. "Well, you should," said the caller.
In December, after George W. Bush won the White House, an official with his transition team contacted Keys, asking if he was interested in the top job at the bureau, which is part of the Interior Dept. Keys said yes. Nominated on June 14, he quickly won Senate confirmation and was sworn in July 17.