Ken Mehlman – Career
Ken Mehlman is a Member and Head of Global Public Affairs at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & C0 (KKR).
Ken Mehlman spent many years working at the highest levels of public policy and politics. He started this part of his career on Capitol Hill, including as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2005 to 2007 and as campaign manager for George W. Bush’s Presidential campaign in 2004. Ken Mehlman became the Managing Director and Head of Global Public Affairs for Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) in April 2008.
Education:
Ken Mehlman was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania and graduated with a BA in Government. Ken Mehlman then attended Harvard Law School, where he graduated with a Juris Doctor (Law Degree), class of 1991. Ken Mehlman is a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.
Legal Career:
Ken Mehlman began his legal career at the law and lobbying firm Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, where he concentrated in Environmental Law. Ken Mehlman worked for Akin Gump from 1991 to 1996. Ken Mehlman briefly returned to Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld in 2007 before joining KKR in 2008. He is a member of the D.C. and Maryland bars.
Public Service:
Ken Mehlman has spent many years in policy and political roles on Capitol Hill, including Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Kay Granger and Legislative Director for Congressman Lamar S. Smith.
In 2000, Ken Mehlman served as National Field Director for the Bush-Cheney campaign. He also served as regional political director for the primaries and helped garner the highest percentage of votes in Iowa for a Republican in Iowa’s caucus history. Following the election, Ken Mehlman served as White House Director of Political Affairs (2001-2003).
In 2004, Ken Mehlman served as the Campaign Manager of the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign. In January 2005, the American Association of Political Consultants awarded Ken Mehlman the title of "Campaign Manager of the Year" in recognition of his successful management of the Bush/Cheney presidential ticket. Michael Barone, author of the Almanac of American Politics, compared Ken Mehlman’s success to Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton’s, particularly in their revolutionary approaches to identifying new customers and constituents.
Later in 2005, Ken Mehlman was elected 62nd Chairman of the Republican National Convention (RNC). While serving as RNC chairman, Ken Mehlman emphasized the importance of reaching out to the African American and Hispanic communities, including historic speeches at the NAACP, National Council of LaRaza, and the League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC).
The former chairman's efforts to reach out included an open discussion about the issues of "racial polarization" and showing the positive and significant changes made by the Republican Party. During the NAACP Convention in 2005, Ken Mehlman stated, "It's not healthy for the country for our political parties to be so racially polarized. Just as the Democrats came to this (black) community in 1964 with something real to offer, today we Republicans have something that should cause you to take another look at the party of Lincoln." His participation in the NAACP convention allowed him to address the current issues; as well as provide examples of the Republican Party's efforts on behalf of African Americans.
At the convention, he spoke of the 50 percent increase in ownership of homes and businesses by the African American community. He also talked about the initiated educational programs, which contributed to the improvement of exam scores in both historically black and white elementary schools.
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
In 2008, Ken Mehlman was named Managing Director and Head of Global Public Affairs for Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR). In this role, Ken leads a team engaged in innovative outreach to KKR's numerous stakeholders. Ken also oversees KKR's government relations and external communications operations.
2009: Ken Mehlman is a Member and Head of Global Public Affairs at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & C0 (KKR)
Press Releases
- Alternative asset manager KKR greens portfolio companies in joint initiative with Environmental Defense Fund
- Washington Governors Present Four-Year Scholarships to 35 Foster Care System Graduates
- Ken Mehlman Announced to KKR
- President Bush Appoints Members to United States Holocaust Memorial Council
- MTV
- PepsiCo Foundation Donates $1 Million to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial
Articles
- KKR Hires Ex-GOP Chairman as Public Affairs Head
- Romer and Mehlman join forces on education reform
- Republicans Differ on Global Warming
- The Christian Science Monitor reports on the political commentary of Ken Mehlman
- Transcript for November 13 Meet the Press on MSNBC
Videos
- Tavis Smiley Interviews Ken Mehlman
- Ken Mehlman and Elizabeth Seeger discuss how KKR and the Environmental Defense Fund work together
- Jon Stewart interviews Ken Mehlman for The Daily Show
- Ken Mehlman discusses the fight against terrorism on MSNBC's Hardball
Speeches
- Ken Mehlman's speech at the 2005 NAACP Convention
- Ken Mehlman's Speech at the 2006 Christians United For Israel Dinner
NAACP Convention of 2005
Guest Speaker: Ken Mehlman
Ken Mehlman addressed the issue of racial polarization among America's political parties.
"...Republicans have something that should cause you to take another look at the party of Lincoln."