Steve Ricchetti
| Steve Ricchetti | |
|---|---|
| Chief of Staff to the Vice President of the United States | |
|
Assumed office December, 2013 | |
| Vice President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Bruce Reed |
| White House Deputy Chief of Staff | |
|
In office November 1998 – January 2001 Served with Maria Echaveste | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | John Podesta |
| Succeeded by | Joe Hagin |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Amy Ricchetti |
| Children | Four |
| Education |
Miami University George Mason University School of Law |
Steven J. Ricchetti is chief of staff to Joe Biden, the Vice President of the United States, and Assistant to the President.
Early life and education
Steven J. Ricchetti[1] grew up in Westlake, Ohio and graduated from Westlake High School.[2]
He received his undergraduate degree from Miami University in Ohio in 1979, and his J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law.[3][4]
Career
Ricchetti led the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's political department from 1987 to 1989 and was executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from 1990 to 1992.[1][4]
From January 1993 to February 1996, he was a White House staffer in the Clinton administration, holding the title of Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, and was in charge of relations with the Senate.[1][4] In that role, Ricchetti conducted work for the administration on the economic recovery act of 1993, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and other legislation.[4]
From 1996 to 1998, Ricchetti was in the private sector, engaged in lobbying for clients.[1] In September 1998, he returned to the White House, where he was tasked with handling relations with congressional Democrats amidst the impeachment proceedings against President Clinton.[1] In January 1999, Ricchetti became deputy White House chief of staff and gained a larger portfolio.[1] Along with Commerce Secretary William M. Daley, Ricchetti "led the Administration's successful campaign to secure permanent normal trade relations with China."[4]
In January 2001, Ricchetti founded Ricchetti, Inc., a government relations (lobbying) and political consulting firm.[4] Over the following years, Ricchetti's firm represented a number of clients, including AT&T, Eli Lilly & Co., the American Hospital Association, and United Technologies.[5]
In March 2012 he was appointed to be counselor to Vice President Joe Biden.[5] This caused controversy due to President Obama's promise to not appoint lobbyists.[6][7] "Ricchetti officially deregistered from lobbying with Congress at the end of 2008, just as Obama was assuming office and issuing a tough new ethics policy meant to curb the revolving door between his administration and K street."[5] Because he had not lobbied personally for over two years, he did not require a waiver from the administration's policy.[5]
In December 2013, Ricchetti succeeded Bruce Reed as chief of staff to the vice president, with the rank of Assistant to the President.[8] Ricchetti was the chief planner for a possible Biden run in the 2016 presidential election. (Biden ultimately decided not to run.)[9][10]
Other activities
Ricchetti is on the board of advisors of the Center for Congress at Indiana University.[4]
Personal life
Ricchetti lives in Arlington, Virginia. He is married to his wife Amy and has four children.[4]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Robert Pear & John Broder, In a Lobby-Happy Washington, Politics Can Be Even Thicker Than Blood, New York Times (September 5, 2000).
- ↑ Stephen Koff, Joe Biden's Buckeyes: the vice president really likes hiring Ohioans, Cleveland Plain Dealer (April 4, 2016).
- ↑ Mike Allen, Playbook, Politico (November 13, 2013).
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Steve Ricchetti: President, Ricchetti, Inc., Center for Congress at Indiana University (accessed April 5, 2016).
- 1 2 3 4 T.W. Farnam, Biden hires former lobbyist, Washington Post (March 5, 2012).
- ↑ Dana Milbank, Settling in to Washington's ways, Washington Post (March 7, 2012).
- ↑ Emmarie Huetteman, Former Lobbyist Becomes Biden Chief of Staff, New York Times (November 13, 2013).
- ↑ Vice President Biden Announces New Chief of Staff, White House Press Office (November 13, 2013).
- ↑ Colleen McCain Nelson & Carol E. Lee, Joe Biden Supporters Ramp Up a Campaign-in-Waiting, Wall Street Journal (September 13, 2015).
- ↑ Edward-Isaac Dovere, The man plotting Biden 2016: Steve Ricchetti is the man behind the vice president and possible late-entry presidential candidate, Politico (September 2, 2015).