Home > Government > White House Fellows

For Immediate Release
June 20, 2005

President Bush Appoints the 2005-2006 Class of White House Fellows

WASHINGTON, June 20, 2005 – The White House today announced the appointment of 12 outstanding individuals from across the country to serve as White House Fellows. The 2005-2006 Class of White House Fellows represents a diverse cross-section of professions including business, finance, law, and science. Additionally, four branches of the military are represented among the Fellows. The list of the 2005-2006 Class and their biographies are included below.

The White House Fellows Program, founded in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, offers exceptional young men and women first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the Federal government. White House Fellows typically spend one year working as full-time, paid special assistants to senior White House Staff, the Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries, and other top-ranking government officials. Fellows also participate in an education program consisting of roundtable discussions with leaders from the private and public sectors, and trips to study U.S. policy in action. Following the Fellowship year, Fellows are expected to repay that privilege by contributing to the Nation as better leaders and public servants.

The White House Fellows Program is one of the Nation’s most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. Selection as a White House Fellow is highly competitive and based on a record of remarkable professional achievement, evidence of leadership skills, a strong commitment to public service, and the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute successfully at the highest levels of the Federal government. The Program has fostered leaders in many fields, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, former CNN President Tom Johnson, American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha Evans, United Nations Foundation President and former U.S. Senator Timothy Wirth, and U.S. Senator Samuel Brownback.

Additional information about the Program is located at /fellows.

2005-2006 Class of White House Fellows

Rodney D. Bullard, 30. Hometown: Decatur, GA. Captain Bullard holds a B.S. in Legal Studies from the United States Air Force Academy and a J.D. from Duke University Law School. While at Duke University, Bullard was selected to the Dean’s Advisory Council and spearheaded Duke University’s involvement in the American Bar Association (ABA). Upon completion of law school, Bullard joined the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps serving as an Area Defense Counsel and most recently, as a Circuit Trial Counsel. Among his many voluntary activities, Bullard serves as a member of the American Bar Association, receiving the ABA Silver Key Award in 2001. He also serves on the Board of Directors for The Connector, Inc., a non-profit organization devoted to early education and the development of strong family values.

John Daniel Caine, 36. Hometown: Oro Valley, AZ. In 1990, Major Caine received a B.A. in Economics from the Virginia Military Institute. Caine went on to serve as an F-16 Mission Commander during ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan and IRAQI FREEDOM in Iraq. He is currently a Major on active duty in the Air National Guard and serves as both an F-16 Operational Test Pilot and Chief Operating Officer at the Air National Guard Reserve Test Center. Caine’s awards for military service include the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Air Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Air Force Commendation Medals, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor four times. Concurrent to his military activities, Caine is pursuing a Master’s degree in Air Warfare from the American Military University. Caine serves the community as a leader for the Arizona chapter of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association.

Eric R. Greitens, 31. Hometown: St. Louis, MO. Lieutenant Greitens holds an A.B. degree in Ethics and Public Policy from Duke University, as well as an M.Phil., and a Ph.D. from Oxford University. Greitens was selected as both a Truman Scholar and a Rhodes Scholar. He has participated in numerous humanitarian service projects abroad including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Children’s Fund efforts in Rwanda and Zaire and at Mother Teresa’s Home for the Destitute and Dying in India. Greitens currently serves as a Lieutenant in the Navy SEALs. He is an accomplished boxer and award-winning photographer.

Jennifer A. Jacobs, 34. Hometown: Albuquerque, NM. Jacobs obtained a B.S. in Engineering Physics from the United States Military Academy in 1993, an M.S. in Environmental Engineering/Health Physics from the University of Florida in 1999, and a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering in 2002 from the University of New Mexico. Currently she works as a Senior Member of Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories addressing issues of international security. She serves in the United States Army Reserves and also contributes to Joy Junction Homeless Shelter in her hometown.

Sean P. McLaughlin, 36. Hometown: Boston, MA. McLaughlin earned his B.S. in Computer Science from Harvard College in 1991 and has since established and stewarded three technology companies specializing in tools for investment managing companies. McLaughlin currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Eze Castle Software, an industry-recognized leader in the business of order management, portfolio construction, and compliance tools. McLaughlin is active in his community through the Camel Needle-eye Corporation, a 501(c)(3) organization he founded with the purpose of instructing and educating the public on agricultural issues.

Steven L. Parker, 38. Hometown: Hartford, CT. Major Parker graduated with a B.S. in International Studies from the United States Military Academy and an M.A. in African Studies from Yale University. Parker has served in an array of professional roles from platoon leader during Operation DESERT STORM to U.S. Defense Representative to the Republic of Djibouti. Parker planned and resourced the first Humanitarian Assistance Conference in Djibouti, earning the “27 June Medal,” from the Republic of Djibouti. His present assignment is Battalion Executive Officer for the 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army.

Keith A. Pellegrini, 36. Hometown: Westchester, IL. Pellegrini holds a B.A. in International Studies from The American University. In 1990, he joined the United States Army and has since served in Haiti, the Bahamas, Dominica, and Bosnia. Pellegrini is currently serving as a Major in the United States Army and is pursing an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies at the U.S. Naval War College. He volunteers at the Newport Hospital Emergency Department and at the Naval Academy Preparatory School.

Robert L. Reffkin, 26. Hometown: Berkeley, CA. Reffkin earned a B.A. from Columbia University and was subsequently hired as the youngest Business Analyst ever employed by McKinsey & Co. He later received his M.B.A. from Columbia Business School. Reffkin is currently an Investment Banking Associate at Lazard Freres & Co. LLC. While working at Lazard, Reffkin developed the company’s first comprehensive investment banking tax program and founded the firm’s Sponsors for Educational Opportunity internship program for underrepresented minorities.

Michael W. Studeman, 38. Hometown: Great Falls, VA. Commander Studeman received his B.A. in Government from the College of William & Mary in 1988. Commissioned as a United States Navy Officer in 1989, Studeman has served successfully in numerous naval intelligence roles. He was selected as the Military Officer of the Year, Pacific Command and Military Officer of the Year, Joint Intelligence Center Pacific. In 1998, Studeman earned his M.A. in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School. He currently serves as an Intelligence Team Leader on the Navy Quadrennial Defense Review Team in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

Cory T. Wilson, 34. Hometown: Moss Point, MS. Wilson attended the University of Mississippi where he earned his B.B.A. in 1992 and Yale Law School where he received his J.D. in 1995. He has worked as an adjunct Professor of Legal Writing at Mississippi College School of Law and is currently a Litigation Partner at Bradley Arant Rose & White LLP. He is also the founder of a non-profit foundation intended to address problems of commercial sprawl and crime in historic, urban neighborhoods.

Kenneth R. Zeff, 32. Hometown: Morton Grove, IL. Zeff attended the University of Michigan, graduating in 1994 with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science. He later went on to receive his M.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and has worked for AmeriCorps as a Learning Center Coordinator. He was employed for several years by Deloitte Consulting LLP as a Senior Consultant, where he was awarded the “Leader in the Community” award, Deloitte’s highest individual recognition for service. He currently serves as Special Assistant to the Deputy Superintendent for San Diego City Schools.

Laurie C. Zephyrin, 30. Hometown: New York, NY. Zephyrin holds a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from the City College of New York, an M.D. from the New York University School of Medicine, and is presently pursuing an M.P.H./M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Zephyrin’s previous work experience includes service as a Clinical Fellow in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Harvard School of Medicine, Chief Resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Harvard and local Chair for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Zephyrin is a recipient of the 2005 American Medical Association Leadership Award.