friends in high places

The Shreveport Times reports that Joseph C. Whitaker has been named director of health care facilities for the office of the US senior adviser to the Iraqi Ministry of Health. Who is Mr. Whitaker?

This isn't Whitaker's first foray into public policy. In 2001, he was named by President George W. Bush to the six-member federal panel in charge of negotiating with federal employees over collective bargaining.

Whitaker's experience building health-care facilities - including several Willis-Knighton hospitals - and credentials as a registered nurse helped him stand out for the new job, said Randy Davidson, a longtime acquaintance of Whitaker and attorney for Whitaker Construction in its recent bankruptcy case.

Whitaker's acquaintance with Bush from the president's time as governor of Texas probably helped him get his foot in the door as well, Davidson said.