U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-East Millinocket) is in charge of making recommendations to President-elect Barack Obama's transition team for local appointments.

Michaud is collecting resumes because he is the ranking Democrat in the delegation. He will be working with Congresswoman-elect Chellie Pingree (D-North Haven). He told PolitickerME.com Wednesday that he will be talking to officials in various areas around the state for recommendations.

Positions to be filled are:

• U.S. Attorney
• U.S. Marshall
• Department of Agriculture director
• Small Business Administration regional administrator
• Environmental Protection Administration regional administrator

"It's very important that whoever will be in the position be the best qualified for Maine and the region," Michaud said Wednesday.

The first name thrown around for an appointment is outgoing Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland), who was unsuccessful in his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor) this year.

Michaud said Allen hasn't expressed interest in any specific position, however, given his 12 years of experience in Congress – especially in the area of health care – the Obama team will likely look at him for something.

For U.S. Attorney, names kicked around by PolitickerME.com's sources are Adam Cote and Mark Lawrence, Democrats both who lost the primary bid for the 1st Congressional District. State Reps. Sean Faircloth (D-Bangor), Janet Mills (D-Farmington) and John Brautigam (D-Falmouth) are vying for state attorney general, but the two who don't make it could also be contenders for the job.

For U.S. Marshall, any top law enforcement official could be in the running, sources say.