Michael Strautmanis

American politician.
Occupation(s)Lawyer, political organizerKnown forPolitical appointee during the Presidency of Barack ObamaPolitical partyDemocratic

Michael Alexander Strautmanis (born Michael Alexander Young, March 24, 1969) is an American lawyer and political organizer who served as chief of staff to Valerie Jarrett in the White House Office of Public Engagement during the Presidency of Barack Obama. He currently works as Executive Vice President for Public Engagement at the Obama Foundation.[1]

Early life and education

Michael Alexander Strautmanis was born in Chicago and lived briefly on the South Side with his mother.[2][3] When his mother married a Latvian immigrant, Juris Strautmanis, they moved to the Uptown neighborhood located in Chicago's North Side.[3] He would later take the last-name of his step-father due to a fractured relationship with his biological father.[4] He attended a prestigious local prep school, the Jesuit-run St. Ignatius College Prep, on a financial-aid program.[3] His mother was a teacher at Jenner Elementary School, while his step-father was a guidance counselor.[3]

He graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1991 with a degree in advertising, although he initially started as a theater major.[3][5] His interest in law arose from a summer job he had in college as a bicycle messenger, where he was inspired by the law firm buildings that he delivered packages to; one of these buildings was Sidley Austin law firm.[3][6] The year before law school, he called the head of human resources of Sidley 13 times and was eventually given a job as a paralegal.[6] As a paralegal, he worked under Michelle Obama from 1991 to 1992.[6][7]

Strautmanis became close friends with Michelle Obama at Sidley, who was influential to his interest in law.[6] He later attended the University of Illinois College of Law and would spend late-night study sessions with then-Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. at IHOP.[3] He earned his J.D. in 1994.[5] After, he practiced complex litigation, labor and employment law, and intellectual property matters in Chicago at Michael Best & Friedrich.[2][8][9]

Early political career

As a young lawyer with an interest in politics, Strautmanis met Thomas Hynes, an influential politician in Chicago, at a Christmas party, which lead to Strautmanis helping Hyne's son with Bill Clinton and Al Gore's Illinois statewide campaign.[3] Wanting to go to Washington, Strautmanis gave his resume to then U.S. Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick after Patrick gave a speech in Chicago; soon after, he was given a position in Washington to serve in the Clinton Administration as the Special Assistant to the General Counsel at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), staying in the position from 1998 to 1999.[3][8][10]

Strautmanis later secured a position as legislative director and counsel for then U.S. Congressman Rod Blagojevich and aided in him winning the 2002 Illinois gubernatorial campaign.[11][12] During this period, Strautmanis had temporarily left this position to volunteer for Barack Obama's U.S. House of Representatives 2000 campaign, although he would return once Obama lost.[13] In 2002, Strautmanis left to work for the American Association for Justice as a lobbyist for trial lawyers, a position he kept till 2005.[8][13][14]

Obama Administration

He served as Chief Counsel and the Director of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs on Obama's presidential transition team.[2][15] In December 2008, Obama announced in a press release that Strautmanis would serve as Chief of Staff to the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Engagement for Valerie Jarrett.[9]

Post-political career

In March 2013, he announced his resignation from the White House staff in order to accept a post with the Walt Disney Company specializing in corporate citizenship.[16] In November 2015, the Obama Foundation announced Strautmanis would become the Vice President of Civic Engagement.[17]

Strautmanis is on the board of directors for Lyric Opera of Chicago and Next Street.[18]

Works

In 2018, Strautmanis detailed his longstanding relationship with Michelle and Barack Obama and his experiences in the Obama White House in a chapter in West Wingers: Stories from the Dream Chasers, Change Makers, and Hope Creators Inside the Obama White House.[19]

References

  1. ^ "Leadership". Obama Foundation. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Dean's Newsletter". University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Archived from the original on July 20, 2008. Retrieved November 7, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Dorning, Mike; Parsons, Christi (August 10, 2008). "Obama adviser worked path to key campaign role". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  4. ^ Healy, Bill (April 17, 2020). "StoryCorps Chicago: 'I Had Closed The Door To You Being In My Life In Any Meaningful Way'". WBEZ. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Turner, Carolyn. "Michael Strautmanis '94 named 2016 Illini Comeback Guest by University of Illinois Alumni Association". Illinois College of Law. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d "A Conversation with Alumnus Michael Strautmanis, Chief Engagement Officer at the Obama Foundation". Sidley. September 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  7. ^ "Obama Campaign Announces Congressional Liaison Team". Obama for America. July 7, 2008. Retrieved November 7, 2008.
  8. ^ a b c "Revolving Door: Michael Strautmanis Employment Summary". OpenSecrets, Center for Respnosive Politics. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  9. ^ a b "President-elect Obama announces more key White House staff". Office of the President-Elect. Obama-Biden Transition Project. December 5, 2008. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
  10. ^ Telephone Directory (PDF). U.S. Agency for International Development. 1999. p. A12.
  11. ^ "Obama tries to gain distance from Ill. governor". NBC News. Associated Press. December 9, 2008. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  12. ^ "Obama's People". New York Times Magazine. January 18, 2009. ISSN 0028-7822. Archived from the original on June 25, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2009.
  13. ^ a b Parnes, Amie (July 23, 2008). "Obama liaison reaches out to Congress". Politico. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  14. ^ Ackley, Kate; Palmer, Anna (June 15, 2009). "Trial Lawyers Now Playing Defense". Roll Call. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  15. ^ "Obama Names Transition Team: Work was underway before the election". USNews. November 5, 2008. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
  16. ^ Sweet, Lynn (March 13, 2013). "Strautmanis leaving White House". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on July 4, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  17. ^ "The Barack Obama Foundation Announces Hire of Michael Strautmanis as Vice President of Civic Engagement". Obama Foundation. November 23, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  18. ^ "Board of Directors | Lyric Opera of Chicago". www.lyricopera.org. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  19. ^ Strautmanis, Mike (2018). "Becoming a Man". In Raghavan, Gautam (ed.). West Wingers: Stories from the Dream Chasers, Change Makers, and Hope Creators Inside the Obama White House. New York: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-14-313329-2.
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Office Name Term Office Name Term
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel 2009–10 National Security Advisor James L. Jones 2009–10
Pete Rouse 2010–11 Thomas E. Donilon 2010–13
William M. Daley 2011–12 Susan Rice 2013–17
Jack Lew 2012–13 Deputy National Security Advisor Thomas E. Donilon 2009–10
Denis McDonough 2013–17 Denis McDonough 2010–13
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Mona Sutphen 2009–11 Antony Blinken 2013–14
Nancy-Ann DeParle 2011–13 Avril Haines 2015–17
Rob Nabors 2013–15 Dep. National Security Advisor, Homeland Security John O. Brennan 2009–13
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Jim Messina 2009–11 Lisa Monaco 2013–17
Alyssa Mastromonaco 2011–14 Dep. National Security Advisor, Iraq and Afghanistan Douglas Lute† 2009–13
Anita Decker Breckenridge 2014–17 Dep. National Security Advisor, Strategic Comm. Ben Rhodes 2009–17
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Planning Mark B. Childress 2012–14 Dep. National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff Mark Lippert 2009
Kristie Canegallo 2014–17 Denis McDonough 2009–10
Counselor to the President Pete Rouse 2011–13 Brooke D. Anderson 2011–12
John Podesta 2014–15 White House Communications Director Ellen Moran 2009
Senior Advisor to the President David Axelrod 2009–11 Anita Dunn 2009
David Plouffe 2011–13 Daniel Pfeiffer 2009–13
Daniel Pfeiffer 2013–15 Jennifer Palmieri 2013–15
Shailagh Murray 2015–17 Jen Psaki 2015–17
Senior Advisor to the President Pete Rouse 2009–10 Deputy White House Communications Director Jen Psaki 2009–11
Brian Deese 2015–17 Jennifer Palmieri 2011–14
Senior Advisor to the President and Valerie Jarrett 2009–17 Amy Brundage 2014–16
Assistant to the President for Liz Allen 2016–17
Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs 2009–11
Director, Public Engagement Tina Tchen 2009–11 Jay Carney 2011–13
Jon Carson 2011–13 Josh Earnest 2013–17
Paulette L. Aniskoff 2013–17 Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton 2009–11
Director, Intergovernmental Affairs Cecilia Muñoz 2009–12 Josh Earnest 2011–13
David Agnew 2012–14 Eric Schultz 2014–17
Jerry Abramson 2014–17 Director of Special Projects Stephanie Cutter 2010–11
Director, National Economic Council Lawrence Summers 2009–10 Director, Speechwriting Jon Favreau 2009–13
Gene Sperling 2011–14 Cody Keenan 2013–17
Jeff Zients 2014–17 Director, Digital Strategy Macon Phillips 2009–13
Chair, Council of Economic Advisers Christina Romer 2009–10 Chief Digital Officer Jason Goldman 2015–17
Austan Goolsbee 2010–13 Director, Legislative Affairs Phil Schiliro 2009–11
Jason Furman 2013–17 Rob Nabors 2011–13
Chair, Economic Recovery Advisory Board Paul Volcker 2009–11 Katie Beirne Fallon 2013–16
Chair, Council on Jobs and Competitiveness Jeff Immelt 2011–13 Miguel Rodriguez 2016
Director, Domestic Policy Council Melody Barnes 2009–12 Amy Rosenbaum 2016–17
Cecilia Muñoz 2012–17 Director, Political Affairs Patrick Gaspard 2009–11
Director, Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Joshua DuBois 2009–13 David Simas 2011–16
Melissa Rogers 2013–17 Director, Presidential Personnel Nancy Hogan 2009–13
Director, Office of Health Reform Nancy-Ann DeParle 2009–11 Johnathan D. McBride 2013–14
Director, Office of National AIDS Policy Jeffrey Crowley 2009–11 Valerie E. Green 2014–15
Grant N. Colfax 2011–13 Rodin A. Mehrbani 2016–17
Douglas M. Brooks 2013–17 White House Staff Secretary Lisa Brown 2009–11
Director, Office of Urban Affairs Adolfo Carrión Jr. 2009–10 Rajesh De 2011–12
Racquel S. Russell 2010–14 Douglas Kramer 2012–13
Roy Austin Jr. 2014–17 Joani Walsh 2014–17
Director, Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy Carol Browner 2009–11 Director, Management and Administration Bradley J. Kiley 2009–11
White House Counsel Greg Craig 2009–10 Katy A. Kale 2011–15
Bob Bauer 2010–11 Maju Varghese 2015–17
Kathryn Ruemmler 2011–14 Director, Scheduling and Advance Alyssa Mastromonaco 2009–11
Neil Eggleston 2014–17 Danielle Crutchfield 2011–14
White House Cabinet Secretary Chris Lu 2009–13 Chase Cushman 2014–17
Danielle C. Gray 2013–14 Director, White House Information Technology David Recordon 2015–17
Broderick D. Johnson 2014–17 Director, Office of Administration Cameron Moody 2009–11
Personal Aide to the President Reggie Love 2009–11 Beth Jones 2011–15
Brian Mosteller 2011–12 Cathy Solomon 2015–17
Marvin D. Nicholson 2012–17 Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy John Holdren 2009–17
Director, Oval Office Operations Brian Mosteller 2012–17 Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra 2009–12
Personal Secretary to the President Katie Johnson 2009–11 Todd Park 2012–14
Anita Decker Breckenridge 2011–14 Megan Smith 2014–17
Ferial Govashiri 2014–17 Director, Office of Management and Budget Peter R. Orszag 2009–10
Chief of Staff to the First Lady Jackie Norris 2009 Jack Lew 2010–12
Susan Sher 2009–11 Jeff Zients 2012–13
Tina Tchen 2011–17 Sylvia Mathews Burwell 2013–14
White House Social Secretary Desirée Rogers 2009–10 Brian Deese 2014
Julianna Smoot 2010–11 Shaun Donovan 2014–17
Jeremy Bernard 2011–15 Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra 2009–11
Deesha Dyer 2015–17 Steven VanRoekel 2011–14
Chief of Staff to the Vice President Ron Klain 2009–11 Tony Scott 2015–17
Bruce Reed 2011–13 United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk 2009–13
Steve Ricchetti 2013–17 Michael Froman 2013–17
White House Chief Usher Stephen W. Rochon† 2009–11 Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske 2009–14
Angella Reid 2011–17 Michael Botticelli 2014–17
Director, White House Military Office George Mulligan 2009–13 Chair, Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley 2009–14
Emmett Beliveau 2013–15 Michael Boots 2014–15
Dabney Kern 2016–17 Christy Goldfuss 2015–17
† Remained from previous administration.
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