Former Rep. Mark Kennedy, R-Minn., has been named director of the Graduate School of Political Management and professor of political management in GW’s College of Professional Studies. Mr. Kennedy brings to the position vital firsthand experience in electoral politics and public service, as well as a background as a business leader who has taught at leading academic institutions on the intersection of business and politics.
“We had an incredibly strong applicant pool and Mark Kennedy stood out," said GW Provost Steven Lerman. “His unique combination of experience in public service, academia and business make him ideally suited to raise the profile of GSPM and position its programs for future growth and success.”
Mr. Kennedy will begin his service at GSPM on Jan. 23.
“I am excited to help validate GSPM’s position as the premier school of applied politics in the United States and the world,” he said.
Mr. Kennedy was elected to three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Minnesota’s Second District from 2001to 2003 and Sixth District from 2003 to 2007. He was noted for reaching across the aisle, leading 20 bipartisan bills. During his service in Congress, Mr. Kennedy served on the financial services, transportation and agriculture committees.
In addition, he was a presidential appointee to the Advisory Committee on Trade Policy under both President Bush and President Obama.
Mr. Kennedy currently serves as chairman and CEO of Chartwell Strategic Advisors LLC and senior strategic adviser at Parker Rosen LLC. He is also founder and chairman of the Economic Club of Minnesota and will continue to serve as chairman after he begins his new role at GW.
"Finding the right leader who would fit the mission of GSPM in professional and applied politics was key to the search process. Mark Kennedy's practical experience as a member of Congress, as well as his educational background and entrepreneurial spirit make him ideal for the role," said Ali Eskandarian, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “I look forward to working with him to build on the national reputation established by the GSPM founding leader, Professor Chris Arterton.”
Former Rep. Tim Penny, D-Minn., who served from 1983 through 1995, is co-chairman of the Economic Club of Minnesota. He said Mr. Kennedy has extensive experience in helping organizations grow.
“Mark’s track record of success developing the Economic Club as a premier nonpartisan forum is testimony to his ability to build organizations.”
Mr. Kennedy’s academic experience includes teaching at Johns Hopkins University and serving as a faculty adviser at the Lauder Institute of the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, he served as the global retail business development lead at Accenture and held executive positions in business, including with Federated Department Stores (now Macy’s) and the Pillsbury Company (now General Mills).
A graduate of St. John’s University in Minnesota, Mr. Kennedy received an M.B.A. with distinction from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He and his wife, Debbie, have four children.