1. Robert Kimmitt: American Political Leader and Military Veteran
2. Military Career
3. Public Service and National Security
4. Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
5. Private Sector and Consulting
6. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury
7. Later Career

Robert Kimmitt: American Political Leader and Military Veteran

Early Life and Education

Robert Kimmitt was born in Logan, Utah, and is the son of Joseph Stanley Kimmitt, a former Colonel and Secretary of the Senate. He graduated from high school in 1965 and earned a bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point with honors in 1969. In 1977, Kimmitt obtained his law degree from Georgetown University, where he served as the editor-in-chief of the "Law & Policy in International Business" journal.

Military Career

Following his graduation from the academy, Kimmitt underwent additional training in field artillery, aviation, and ranger operations. In 1970, he deployed to Vietnam, where he served for 17 months and earned three Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, an Air Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He later served at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and retired in November 2004 with the rank of Major General.

Public Service and National Security

Kimmitt began his public service career before retiring from the military. He served on the National Security Council (NSC) from 1976 to 1977 and 1978 to 1983. In the interim, he clerked for Judge Edward A. Tamm of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. From 1983 to 1985, Kimmitt worked as Executive Secretary of the NSC at the White House.

Foreign Policy and Diplomacy

After leaving the NSC, Kimmitt worked as a partner at the law firm Sidley & Austin from 1987 to 1989, before returning to public service as Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 1989 to 1991. His actions during the Gulf War earned him the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor in the United States. From 1991 to 1993, Kimmitt served as United States Ambassador to Germany, for which he received the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal and the German Order of Merit.

Private Sector and Consulting

From 1993 to 1997, Kimmitt held a senior management position at Lehman Brothers, before becoming a partner at Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering from 1997 to 2000.

Deputy Secretary of the Treasury

On June 29, 2005, President George W. Bush nominated Kimmitt as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. The Senate unanimously confirmed his nomination on July 29, 2005, and he assumed office on August 16, 2005. Kimmitt served until the end of Bush's presidency, leaving office on January 20, 2009.

Later Career

Following his government service, Kimmitt was considered a potential candidate to become President of the World Bank in 2007, but the position ultimately went to Robert Zoellick. He currently serves as the Independent Chairman of the Deloitte Center for Cross-Border Investment.

Politics