Bob Kerrey
Former Governor and Senator
Decorated Vietnam Vet
Allen & Company
As a courageous public servant, decorated Vietnam veteran and education leader, the Honorable Bob Kerrey represents the contributory spirit that distinguishes our city and our nation.
Today Bob Kerrey is Managing Director at Allen & Company in New York. He is also Executive Chairman of the Minerva Institute for Research and Scholarship, supporting The Minerva Project, an exceptional liberal arts and sciences education with a redefined student body, reinvented curriculum, rigorous academic standards, cutting-edge technology, and an immersive global experience.
As of January 1, 2011, Bob Kerrey completed his tenure as seventh President of The New School, a university founded on strong democratic ideals and daring educational practices - an environment that was well suited for his leadership. He also served as New School President Emeritus from January 1, 2011 to January 31, 2013.
Under his leadership as President, The New School experienced an unprecedented period of growth. Also, since 2001, a record $198 million was raised for scholarships, professorships, capital projects, major conferences and cutting-edge research. The largest space expansion in the university's history was successfully spearheaded under Bob Kerrey and is now nearing completion.
Prior to coming to The New School Bob Kerrey represented Nebraska in the United States Senate. For two terms Senator Kerrey emphasized the direct connection between citizens and their laws, and made a concerted effort to allow Nebraskans to participate in writing laws that defined the quality and inclusiveness of their health care system, their schools and the safety of their communities. He served on the Senate's Agriculture and Forestry Committee and was a leader in drafting farm legislation, soil and water conservation statutes, and regulations to promote equity in rural health, communication and transportation.
Prior to serving in the U.S. Senate Bob Kerrey served a single term as Nebraska's Governor working to balance its budget, partner with the private sector to create jobs, improve the quality of Nebraska's schools, college and university, and protect Nebraska's fragile soil and water. Bob Kerrey established a reputation as a fiscal conservative who regularly crossed political party lines for the good of Nebraska and the Country. Prior to serving as Governor Bob Kerrey was a businessman who helped build a chain of restaurants and health clubs that employed more than 1000 people.
Prior to beginning his business, Bob Kerrey served three years in the United States Navy in the Vietnam War. For his service as a Navy SEAL, he received a Congressional Medal of Honor. While in Vietnam, he was wounded, permanently disabled from the injury, and received from this injury a great gift: Sympathy for those who are suffering and an appreciation for the capacity of government to save your life. Before his time in the Navy, Bob Kerrey attended the University of Nebraska graduating in January 1966 with a BS degree in pharmacy. He was born in Lincoln and attended public schools there.
Bob Kerrey is married to Sarah Paley and lives in New York. The couple has a 12-year-old son, Henry, and Mr. Kerrey has two children from his previous marriage, Ben and Lindsey Kerrey, and four grandchildren. He is an avid reader of history, poetry and literature. In 2002 he published a memoir "When I Was A Young Man."
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