Markell, Jack Alan, 1960-

<p>Jack Alan Markell (born November 26, 1960) is an American former businessman and politician who served as the 73rd governor of Delaware from 2009 to 2017. He is a member of the Democratic Party.</p>

<p>Markell served three terms as the State Treasurer of Delaware from 1999 to 2009. After term-limited Governor Ruth Ann Minner was prevented from running for reelection, Markell announced his intention to run. He defeated Lieutenant Governor of Delaware John Carney with 51% of the vote in the Democratic primary, and defeated the Republican nominee, former Delaware Superior Court Judge William Swain Lee, with 67% of the vote in the 2008 general election, becoming Delaware's first Jewish governor. Markell won reelection in 2012 by a margin of over 40%.</p>

<p>On June 23, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Markell to serve as the United States Ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.</p>

<p>Jack Markell was sworn in as Delaware’s governor on January 19, 2009, and was sworn in for his second term on January 15, 2013. He focused on economic development, education and workforce training as top priorities. Markell also focused on running state government efficiently and effectively, keeping the state’s AAA bond rating while reforming Delaware’s health and pension systems to make them more sustainable over time.</p>

<p>Beginning his career in the private sector, Markell helped lead the wireless technology revolution as the 13th employee at Nextel, 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.</p>

<p>He was elected state treasurer in 1998, winning three consecutive terms, including his last re-election in November of 2006. As treasurer, Markell worked 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.</p>

<p>Markell 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. Markell is a Henry Crown Fellow and a Rodel Fellow at the Aspen Institute. He resides in Wilmington, Delaware, with his wife and their two children, Molly and Michael.</p>

<p>Jack Markell served from 2009-2017 as the Governor of Delaware. During his tenure, Delaware emerged from the great recession with the strongest job growth in the region and among the best private sector wage growth in the country. Mr. Markell led significant investments in improved early childhood education, language immersion programs, heightened college access for low-income students and some of the most aggressive workforce development efforts in the country. Previously, Mr. Markell served ten years as Delaware's State Treasurer.</p>

<p>Prior to public service, Mr. Markell helped 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. Other private sector employers included Comcast Corporation and McKinsey and Company.</p>

<p>Mr. Markell serves on the National Board of Directors of Jobs for America's Graduates and as a trustee of the Annie E. Casey Foundation</p>

<p>Mr. Markell was born in 1960 in Newark, Delaware. He earned an undergraduate degree from Brown University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Mr. Markell is a Henry Crown Fellow and a Rodel Fellow at the Aspen Institute. He and his wife, Carla, reside in Wilmington. Their two children, Molly and Michael, are in their 20's</p>