Robert M. Kimmitt
Encyclopedia
Robert M. Kimmitt was United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury
under President
George W. Bush
. He was nominated by President Bush on June 29, 2005. The United States Senate
unanimously confirmed him on July 29, 2005, and he was sworn into office on August 16, 2005. Kimmitt served through the end of the Bush administration, leaving office on January 20, 2009.
Kimmitt served as Acting Secretary of the Treasury from Friday, June 30, until Monday morning, July 10, following John W. Snow
's resignation, but prior to Henry Paulson
being sworn in to office.
, graduated from Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School
in 1965. Mr. Kimmitt graduated with distinction from the United States Military Academy
at West Point in 1969. He received a law degree
from Georgetown University
in 1977, where he was editor in chief of Law & Policy in International Business.
s, the Purple Heart
, the Air Medal
, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He was subsequently assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY (1972 - 1974). He retired in November 2004 as a Major General
in the Army Reserve.
. He served at the White House as National Security Council Executive Secretary and General Counsel from 1983 to 1985, with the rank of Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. From 1985 to 1987, Mr. Kimmitt served as General Counsel to the U.S. Treasury Department, where he received the Alexander Hamilton Award, as well as the Arthur Flemming Award for distinguished public service.
Mr. Kimmitt then left public service, and from 1987 to 1989, served as a partner in the law firm of Sidley & Austin.
Mr. Kimmitt resumed his public service career in 1989, serving as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs until 1991. For his service during the Gulf Crisis and War
, President George H. W. Bush
presented Mr. Kimmitt with the Presidential Citizens Medal
, the Nation’s second highest civilian award. He served from 1991 to 1993 as United States Ambassador to Germany
and was awarded the U.S. Defense Department
Distinguished Public Service Award as well as Germany’s Order of Merit
.
During 1997 Mr. Kimmitt was a member of the National Defense Panel, and from 1998 to 2005 he was a member of the Director of Central Intelligence’s National Security Advisory Panel. He also served as a member of the Panel of Arbitrators of the World Bank
’s International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes.
Before rejoining the government in his current position, Mr. Kimmitt was a managing director of Lehman Brothers
from 1993 to 1997. He was a partner at Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering from 1997 to 2000. Mr. Kimmitt was Vice Chairman and President of Commerce One
, a software company headquartered in the San Francisco Bay area. Mr. Kimmitt was Chairman of the International Advisory Council of Time Warner Inc., where he had served from July 2001 to February 2005 as Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy. From March through August 2005, he was also Senior International Counsel in the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr
.
In May 2007, he was mentioned in media reports as among the top candidates to be named president of the World Bank
, a position ultimately filled by Robert Zoellick
. Mr. Kimmitt is currently the independent chairman of the Deloitte Center for Cross-Border Investment.
(Stan), former Secretary of the Senate and army colonel, who died in 2004. Kimmitt's brother, Mark Kimmitt
is the former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs
and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East. Mr. Kimmitt and his wife Holly Sutherland Kimmitt have two daughters and three sons and reside in Arlington, Virginia. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations
, the American Academy of Diplomacy, and a board member of the American Council on Germany and speaks fluent German
.
United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury
The Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, in the United States government, advises and assists the Secretary of the Treasury in the supervision and direction of the Department of the Treasury and its activities, and succeeds the Secretary in his absence, sickness, or unavailability...
under President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. He was nominated by President Bush on June 29, 2005. The United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
unanimously confirmed him on July 29, 2005, and he was sworn into office on August 16, 2005. Kimmitt served through the end of the Bush administration, leaving office on January 20, 2009.
Kimmitt served as Acting Secretary of the Treasury from Friday, June 30, until Monday morning, July 10, following John W. Snow
John W. Snow
| image=John W. Snow.jpg|imagesize = 250px| order=73rd| title=United States Secretary of the Treasury| term_start=February 3, 2003| term_end=June 28, 2006| predecessor=Paul O'Neill| successor=Henry Paulson| birth_date=| birth_place=Toledo, Ohio...
's resignation, but prior to Henry Paulson
Henry Paulson
Henry Merritt "Hank" Paulson, Jr. is an American banker who served as the 74th United States Secretary of the Treasury. He previously served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs.-Early life and family:...
being sworn in to office.
Education
Mr. Kimmitt, born December 19, 1947 in Logan, UtahLogan, Utah
-Layout of the City:Logan's city grid originates from its Main and Center Street block, with Main Street running north and south, and Center east and west. Each block north, east, south, or west of the origin accumulates in additions of 100 , though some streets have non-numeric names...
, graduated from Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School
Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School
Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School was founded in 1957 in Arlington County, Virginia. It was operated by the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, but has been under the direction of the Diocese of Arlington since 1974. The school is named for Bishop Denis J...
in 1965. Mr. Kimmitt graduated with distinction from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point in 1969. He received a law degree
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
in 1977, where he was editor in chief of Law & Policy in International Business.
Military service
After being commissioned as a Regular Army officer in 1969 at West Point, Mr. Kimmitt completed field artillery, airborne, and ranger schools. He then served a 17-month combat tour with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam (1970 - 1971), earning three Bronze StarBronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
s, the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He was subsequently assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY (1972 - 1974). He retired in November 2004 as a Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
in the Army Reserve.
Career highlights
Mr. Kimmitt has had a long public service career, both at home and abroad. From 1976 to 1977 and 1978 to 1983, Mr. Kimmitt was a member of the NSC Staff. From 1977 to 1978, he served as law clerk to Judge Edward A. Tamm of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit known informally as the D.C. Circuit, is the federal appellate court for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Appeals from the D.C. Circuit, as with all the U.S. Courts of Appeals, are heard on a...
. He served at the White House as National Security Council Executive Secretary and General Counsel from 1983 to 1985, with the rank of Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. From 1985 to 1987, Mr. Kimmitt served as General Counsel to the U.S. Treasury Department, where he received the Alexander Hamilton Award, as well as the Arthur Flemming Award for distinguished public service.
Mr. Kimmitt then left public service, and from 1987 to 1989, served as a partner in the law firm of Sidley & Austin.
Mr. Kimmitt resumed his public service career in 1989, serving as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs until 1991. For his service during the Gulf Crisis and War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
presented Mr. Kimmitt with the Presidential Citizens Medal
Presidential Citizens Medal
The Presidential Citizens Medal is the second highest civilian award in the United States, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is awarded by the President of the United States, and may be given posthumously....
, the Nation’s second highest civilian award. He served from 1991 to 1993 as United States Ambassador to Germany
United States Ambassador to Germany
The United States has had diplomatic relations with the nation of Germany and its predecessor nation, the Kingdom of Prussia, since 1835. These relations were broken twice while Germany and the United States were at war...
and was awarded the U.S. Defense Department
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
Distinguished Public Service Award as well as Germany’s Order of Merit
Bundesverdienstkreuz
The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is the only general state decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has existed since 7 September 1951, and between 3,000 and 5,200 awards are given every year across all classes...
.
During 1997 Mr. Kimmitt was a member of the National Defense Panel, and from 1998 to 2005 he was a member of the Director of Central Intelligence’s National Security Advisory Panel. He also served as a member of the Panel of Arbitrators of the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
’s International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes.
Before rejoining the government in his current position, Mr. Kimmitt was a managing director of Lehman Brothers
Lehman Brothers
Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. was a global financial services firm. Before declaring bankruptcy in 2008, Lehman was the fourth largest investment bank in the USA , doing business in investment banking, equity and fixed-income sales and trading Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (former NYSE ticker...
from 1993 to 1997. He was a partner at Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering from 1997 to 2000. Mr. Kimmitt was Vice Chairman and President of Commerce One
Commerce One
Commerce One was a pioneering e-commerce company founded in 1994 as DistriVision in Pleasanton, California. The company was renamed Commerce One in 1997, and went public in 1999. They were one of the darlings in the hot B2B sector, and saw their stock soar from 20 to over 600 in early 2000,...
, a software company headquartered in the San Francisco Bay area. Mr. Kimmitt was Chairman of the International Advisory Council of Time Warner Inc., where he had served from July 2001 to February 2005 as Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy. From March through August 2005, he was also Senior International Counsel in the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, which also goes by the shorter market name WilmerHale, is an American law firm with twelve offices across the USA, Europe and Asia. It was created in 2004 through the merger of the Boston-based firm Hale and Dorr and the Washington-based firm Wilmer Cutler...
.
In May 2007, he was mentioned in media reports as among the top candidates to be named president of the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
, a position ultimately filled by Robert Zoellick
Robert Zoellick
Robert Bruce Zoellick is the eleventh president of the World Bank, a position he has held since July 1, 2007. He was previously a managing director of Goldman Sachs, United States Deputy Secretary of State and U.S. Trade Representative, from February 7, 2001 until February 22, 2005.President...
. Mr. Kimmitt is currently the independent chairman of the Deloitte Center for Cross-Border Investment.
Family
Robert Kimmitt's father is Joseph Stanley KimmittJoseph Stanley Kimmitt
Joseph Stanley Kimmitt was the Secretary of the United States Senate and Secretary for the Majority from 1977 to 1981. Kimmitt also served in World War II and the Korean War as a United States Army lieutenant colonel. Kimmitt commanded a unit in the 8th Infantry Division in Germany from 1962 to...
(Stan), former Secretary of the Senate and army colonel, who died in 2004. Kimmitt's brother, Mark Kimmitt
Mark Kimmitt
Mark Traecey Patrick Kimmitt was the 16th Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, serving under George W. Bush from August 2008 to January 2009. Prior to joining the State Department, he was a Brigadier General in the United States Army, and served as the Deputy Assistant...
is the former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs
Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs is a position within the American Department of State that manages the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, charged with linking the Department of Defense and the Department of State by providing policy in the areas of international...
and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East. Mr. Kimmitt and his wife Holly Sutherland Kimmitt have two daughters and three sons and reside in Arlington, Virginia. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
, the American Academy of Diplomacy, and a board member of the American Council on Germany and speaks fluent German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
.
External links
- Bio at treas.gov
- Reagan and Gadhafi - Kimmitt's commentary on the 1981 "Line of Death" incident