Governor Jack Markell is focused on growing the economy, creating jobs, strengthening schools and protecting taxpayers.
When he took office in 2009, he inherited a record budget shortfall, rapidly rising unemployment, and a stagnant economy. Since then, he has helped open shuttered manufacturing facilities, won President Obama's Race to the Top competition to improve public schools, and signed new laws to drive improvements in the economy, environment, and education.
Governor Markell, 51, was born and raised in Newark, Delaware and graduated from Newark High School along with his wife, Carla. He went on to receive an undergraduate degree in economics and development studies from Brown University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Governor Markell is a Henry Crown Fellow and a Rodel Fellow at the Aspen Institute. He resides in Wilmington, Delaware, with his wife Carla and their two children, Molly (19) and Michael (16), along with their puppy Rue (recently adopted), Belle the cat, and Norma the goldfish.
Governor Markell brings innovative public and private sector experience to the Office of Governor. He began his career in the private sector helping lead the wireless technology revolution as the 13th employee at Nextel (a name he coined), where he served as Senior Vice President for Corporate Development. His other business experience includes a senior management position at Comcast Corporation, work as a consultant with McKinsey and Company and as a banker at First Chicago Corporation.
He was elected State Treasurer in 1998, winning three consecutive terms, including his last re-election in November of 2006 with an overwhelming 70 percent of the vote. As State Treasurer, Governor Markell worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Delawareans through innovative programs aimed at cutting spending and improving fiscal responsibility. He has been recognized in Delaware and across the country as a leader in promoting policies to help all people achieve their economic potential. Learn more about his efforts as State Treasurer here.
Governor Markell has also worked to advocate on behalf of Delawareans and bring national attention to his home state through a number of leadership roles:
- Vice Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA); To become Chair in July 2012
- Co-Chair of the Common Core Standards Initiative, a joint effort of NGA and the Council of Chief State School Officers to develop Common Core Standards for education
- Board Member, National Assessment Governing Board, nominated by US Education Secretary, Arne Duncan
- Chairman of the National Board of Directors for Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG)
- Former Chair of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA)
- Former Chair of the Education, Early Childhood and Workforce Committee, NGA (July 2010 - Dec 2010)
- Former Vice Chair of the NGA Economic Development and Commerce Committee (Jan 2010 - July 2010)
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