Jack A. Markell
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| Jack A. Markell | |
 Treasurer of Delaware |
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| State Treasurer | |
|---|---|
| Born | about 1961 Newark, Delaware |
| Residence | Newark, Delaware |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Carla |
Jack A. Markell (born ca. 1961) is an American businessman and politician from Newark, in New Castle County, Delaware. He is a member of the Democratic Party, who serves as the incumbent state treasurer of Delaware. He is serving his second term, and is a candidate for reelection on November 7, 2006.
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[edit] Early Life and Family
Markell graduated from Newark High School and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, with degrees in economics and development studies and received an MBA degree from the University of Chicago. He is married to Carla Markell, whom he met while attending Newark High School. They have two children, Michael and Molly.
[edit] Professional career
Markell served as Senior Vice President for Corporate Development at Nextel, where he was responsible for coming up with the name “Nextel,” and helping to lead the movement to wireless technology. His other work experiences included a senior management position at Comcast Corporation as well as posts as a consultant at McKinsey and Company, Inc. and as a banker at First Chicago Corporation.
[edit] Political career
Markell was first elected State Treasurer of Delaware in 1998 and was re-elected in 2002. He is now serving in his second term, and received 70.5% of the vote for the midterm 2006 election.
As State Treasurer, Markell has led the development of several educational efforts in personal financial management, known collectively as "the Financial Literacy initiatives." He created the Delaware Money School which offers free classes to Delawareans throughout the year on topics such as saving for college and retirement planning. He also began the “Delaware Bank at School Program” which takes banks and financial education to schools. In a third program, he has partnered with the University of Delaware, Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship, as well as leading Delaware banks, to teach young children the basics of money and savings.
In 2001 Governor Ruth Ann Minner chose Markell to chair the Information Services Task Force, which developed and implemented recommendations to modify the state's management of information technology. In 2002 he led an effort to streamline and coordinate the procurement of goods and services while using state of the art purchasing techniques. He has also led the “Health Rewards” initiative which offers Delaware state government employees with comprehensive physical assessments, detailed statistics about how their health compares with their peers across the country and recommendations about how they can improve their health.
For several years, Markell has helped lead a campaign, sponsored by the Nehemiah Gateway Development Corporation, to promote awareness of the federal earned income tax credit and, since 1999, Markell has been chairman of the Delaware College Investment Plan..
As of February of 2006, Markell has over $1.5 million, raising about $600,000 in 2005. $750,000 of his campaign war chest was a loan from him to his campaign organization, Friends of Jack Markell. Erik Schramm, former campaign coordinator for Gov. Ruth Ann Minner's re-election, is running Markell's re-election campaign team. Working along side Schramm is Dana Rohrbough, who was campaign coordinator for Matt Denn's insurance commissioner campaign in 2004. These two heads of Markell's campaign represent the combination of the campaign teams from the two most competitive races in 2004, governor and insurance commissioner.
[edit] Recognition
In 2002 the “Delaware Financial Literacy Initiatives” were chosen by the Council of State Governments as one of the top state government programs in its innovation awards program. Then in 2004 the “Health Rewards” initiative was chosen for the same recognition.
At the 2000 Democratic National Convention, Markell was selected by the Democratic Leadership Council as one of the 100 "rising stars" of the party. That same month New Democrat Magazine spotlighted him in a group of just ten innovative leaders from around the country under the age of 40. In October 2001, Philly Tech Magazine named Markell as the only Delawarean and the only government official on its list of the ten most influential technology leaders in the Philadelphia region. In 2004, the Aspen Institute selected Markell as the first Delawarean and first elected official for its Crown Fellow program.
Markell was the heavily favored candidate for reelection as State Treasurer in 2006. He had no primary opponent and his general election opponent was Republican Esthelda R. Parker Selby. He won the 2006 election with 70.5% of the vote. He and Lt. Governor John C. Carney, Jr. are considered possible candidates for Governor in 2008, when incumbent Governor Ruth Ann Minner is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.
| Political Offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Janet C. Rzewnicki |
Treasurer of Delaware January 16, 1999 – present |
Incumbent |
[edit] Public offices
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. The State Treasurer takes office the third Tuesday of January and has a four year term.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Treasurer | Executive | Dover | 1998 | January 16, 1999 | January 18, 2003 | |
| State Treasurer | Executive | Dover | 2002 | January 18, 2003 | January 16, 2007 | |
| State Treasurer | Executive | Dover | 2006 |
[edit] Election results
| Year | Office | Election | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
| 1998 | State Treasurer | General | Jack A. Markell | Democratic | 103,407 | 58% | Janet C. Rzewnicki | Republican | 74,633 | 42% | ||
| 2002 | State Treasurer | General | Jack A. Markell | Democratic | 147,390 | 66% | Ronald G. Poliquin | Republican | 75,344 | 34% | ||
| 2006 | State Treasurer | General | Jack A. Markell | Democratic | 174,382 | 70.5% | Esthelda R. Parker-Selby | Republican | 73,003 | 29.5% |
[edit] References
- Cohen, Celia. A healthy competition between Jack and John. Delaware Grapevine. Retrieved on 2006-09-01.
- Biography. State of Delaware. Retrieved on 2006-09-01.
[edit] External links
[edit] Places with more information
- University of Delaware Library 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965.
- Newark Free Library 750 Library Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 731-7550.
- Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library 2nd and High St., Odessa, Delaware (302) 378-8838.
- Historical Society of Delaware 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161.
