MARK DANIEL GEARAN
Assistant to the President


Mark D. Gearan is Assistant to the President and Director of Communications and Strategic Planning. His public service career includes senior posts in state government, Capitol Hill and as a key presidential adviser in the White House.

Born in Gardner, Massachusetts, Gearan attended public schools and was graduated cum laude from Harvard College in 1978 with a degree in Government. He later earned his law degree in the evening division from Georgetown University Law Center.

White House

At the White House, Gearan served as Deputy Chief of Staff before his present assignment. During the transition of President-elect Clinton, he served as Deputy Director in charge of Washington operations for Transition Director Warren Christopher. As Vice President Gore's Campaign Manager in the 1992 presidential election, he travelled and advised the Vice President on issues and strategy.

State Government

In state government, Gearan was the Director of Federal State Relations for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for five years. In that post, he coordinated all legislative, administrative and regulatory matters before the federal government for the administration of Governor Michael S. Dukakis. In the presidential effort of Governor Dukakis, Gearan was the national headquarters Press Secretary.

For three years as Executive Director of the Democratic Governors' Association, Gearan instituted the National Policy Forum, expanded its membership and improved relations between the Governors and the Congressional leadership.

Capitol Hill

On Capitol Hill, Gearan worked for Iowa Congressman Berkley Bedell as his Administrative Assistant for three years. Prior to his work on Capitol Hill, he worked for a year as a reporter for the Fitchburg, MA Sentinel and Enterprise.

Mark Gearan is married to Mary Herlihy Gearan, whom he met when they both worked for Congressman Robert F. Drinan's re-election campaign in 1978. They have a three year old daughter, Madeleine.