(WASHINGTON, DC) – A Sturgis man is excited about starting his new position with an international organization.

Robert Sisson was confirmed May 16 by the U.S. Senate to serve as a Commissioner on the International Joint Commission for The United States and Canada. This is a bi-nation agency that oversees the management of waters between the United States and Canada, and works to protect them for the benefit of both nations.

The confirmation process took two and a half years. Sisson says that's a little longer than he thought it would be.

Sisson says he will get to travel some with his job. For the most part he says the IJC acts like a legislative organization, listening to stakeholders who have issues or concerns. Sisson says the IJC gets called in if the U.S. State Department or the Global Office Of Canada needs help on a matter.