At Obama 2012 headquarters: Political director Archuleta joins team

Countdown whiteboard at the Obama 2012 headquarters in Chicago, July 5, 2011. (photo by Lynn Sweet)

Obama 2012 headquarters techies corner (photo by Lynn Sweet)

CHICAGO–With only 491 days until the 2012 election–the countdown calendars are up at the Obama 2012 headquarters here–Katherine Archuleta on Tuesday started as the political director of President Obama’s bid for a second term.

Archuleta is moving to Chicago from Washington, where she was Chief of Staff to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

As political director for the Obama campaign, the Denver native–according to the campaign “will be in charge of all the political outreach to elected officials and political groups.”

Background: “From 1993 to 1996 Archuleta served former U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Federico Pena as his Deputy Chief and later Chief of Staff.”

Before joining the Labor Department: was a Senior Advisor for Policy and Initiatives to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

Her place in Obamaland: Archuleta led the planning for the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver for the City and County of Denver.