David Simas
David Simas (born 1970)[1] is the CEO of the Obama Foundation[2][3] and served in Barack Obama's administration as the White House Director of Political Affairs from 2011 to 2016.[4][5]
David Simas | |
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CEO of the Obama Foundation | |
Assumed office December 19, 2016 | |
Preceded by | Position established |
White House Director of Political Affairs | |
In office February 1, 2011 – December 19, 2016 | |
President | Barack Obama |
Preceded by | Patrick Gaspard |
Succeeded by | Bill Stepien |
Personal details | |
Born | 1970 (age 49–50) Taunton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Shauna |
Children | 2 |
Education | Stonehill College (BA) Boston College (JD) |
Early life
Simas was born and raised in Taunton, Massachusetts by Portuguese immigrant parents, Antonio and Deolinda Simas.[1] Deolinda Simas lost two of her fingers in a faulty machine at the silver factory where she worked when Simas was a child. The Portuguese immigrant lawyer who worked on the case inspired Simas to become a lawyer.[3]
Education
Simas attended Coyle and Cassidy High School and then gained a degree from Stonehill College.[1] He graduated with a J.D. degree from Boston College Law School in 1995.[4]
Career
Simas worked as Deputy Chief of Staff to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick from 2007 until 2009. In 2009, he joined the Obama White House as a Deputy Assistant to the President, working under Senior Advisor David Axelrod.
Simas worked as director of opinion research for President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign and then served as a liaison between the president and Democratic officials for two and a half years. He was appointed CEO of the Obama Foundation in December 2016.[2]
Personal life
Simas married his high school sweetheart, Shauna. They have two daughters and live in Hyde Park in Chicago.[1][3]
References
- Perl, Peter (Summer 2014). "Meet the unflappable, unrelentingly positive David Simas". BC Law School Magazine. Boston College Law School. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- Eilperin, Juliet (December 19, 2016). "White House political director David Simas joins Obama Foundation as CEO". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- Also available at: Grenzebach Glier and Associates
- Bertagnoli, Lisa (May 3, 2018). "Meet the CEO of the Obama Foundation". Crain's Chicago Business. Crain Communications, Inc. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- Shear, Michael D. (March 1, 2014). "Obama's new political chief tries to reassure Democrats". The New York Times. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- Allen, Jonathan; Parnes, Amie (2017). ""I'm sorry"". Shattered: inside Hillary Clinton's doomed campaign. New York: Crown. ISBN 9780553447095.
External links
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by Patrick Gaspard |
White House Director of Political Affairs 2011–2016 |
Succeeded by Bill Stepien |