Known for his straight talk, acerbic wit, and political instinct, John Podesta was the most powerful person in our government short of the president. Influential in setting the administration’s course on economic, foreign policy, trade, and environmental issues, he served as Chief of Staff to President Clinton; responsible for directing, managing, and overseeing all policy development, daily operations, Congressional relations, and staff activities of the White House from October 1998 until January 2001. He also coordinated the work of cabinet agencies with a particular emphasis on the development of federal budget and tax policy, served in the President’s Cabinet, and as a Principle on the National Security Council.

Podesta is currently a visiting professor at Georgetown University Law Center, a position he also held from January 1995 to 1997. He has taught courses on technology policy, congressional investigations, legislation, copyright, and public interest law.

Podesta first served in the Clinton Administration from January 1993 to 1995 as Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary. In that capacity, he managed the paper flow to and from the President. He also served as a senior policy advisor to the President on government information, privacy, telecommunications security, and regulatory policy. He is considered one of Washington’s leading experts in technology policy, and has written a book, several articles, and lectured extensively in these areas.

In January 1997, Podesta returned to the White House as an Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff where he managed policy initiatives, developed overall legislative and communications strategy, and coordinated the selection of senior Administration appointments, including federal judges.

In 1988, Podesta founded with his brother Tony, Podesta Associates, Inc., a Washington, D.C. government relations and public affairs firm.

Podesta is a 1976 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, and a 1971 graduate of Knox College. He is married to Mary S. Podesta, a Washington, D.C. attorney. They have three children. He is an avid runner and a dedicated fan of roller coasters and TV's The West Wing.

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