2008 Nelson A. Rockefeller Public Service Award

2008 Award Winner

Rob Portman has been described as one of the most experienced and respected public servants of his generation. He served on the White House staff of the first Bush Administration, as the U.S. Congressman from Southwest Ohio for 12 years and in two Cabinet-level positions in the current Bush Administration.Through it all, he has maintained a reputation as a leader who focuses on results.

In Congress, Rob was on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, Vice Chairman of the Budget Committee and chairman of the House Republican Leadership. He gained the respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle through his successful legislative initiatives, including IRS reform, increasing retirement savings, drug prevention, land conservation and curbing unfunded mandates, to name just a few. In his seven elections to Congress representing constituents across Ohio's Second Congressional district, he always won with more than 70 percent of the vote.

In 2005, Rob left Congress when he was asked to serve as U.S. Trade Representative – the official responsible for negotiating trade agreements for the United States. Rob reduced barriers to our exports, increased enforcement and helped level the playing field for American farmers, workers and service providers. After his successes as trade Ambassador, President Bush called on Rob again, this time to become Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Rob was responsible for a very broad portfolio – everything from the federal budget and management of the agencies, to regulations and entitlement policy. He made his mark by proposing a balanced budget, fighting irresponsible earmarks and instituting new transparency on Federal spending.

During his time in Congress and in the Cabinet, Rob and his wife, Jane, chose to keep their home in Ohio. After commuting for almost 15 years between Cincinnati and Washington, D.C., Rob Portman left the government in August 2007 to be home with Jane and their three children full-time. Today, Rob is practicing law with the Ohio law firm of Squire Sanders, and engaged in various community activities, including serving on the board of The Coalition For A Drug Free Greater Cincinnati and The Nature Conservancy. He is also the Honorary Chair of Ohio's Future, and on the Advisory Committee of Ohio State's Glenn School of Public Affairs, where he is teaching a class this spring. Since coming home, he's also added another title to his resume – that of coach for his 13 year old daughter's soccer team.

About the Award

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Public Service Award was established by the Rockefeller family and the Board of Visitors to honor the late Nelson A. Rockefeller '30 for his dedication to service in the public and private sectors. Nelson Rockefeller's public life spanned nearly forty years, including 15 years as Governor of New York State and two years as Vice President of the United States. His commitment to service, though, went beyond his political involvement and included participation on various educational and cultural boards through philanthropic support.

Past Recipients of the Award