Rob Portman
Former Director, Office of Management and Budget
www.omb.gov

On April 18, 2006, President George W. Bush nominated Rob Portman to be the 35th Director of the Office of Management and Budget. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 26, 2006 and three days later, he was officially sworn into office by Chief of Staff Josh Bolten.

Director Portman first served in the President’s cabinet as the United States Trade Representative. In that position, he worked to expand export opportunities for American farmers, manufacturers and service providers and rebuild the bipartisan consensus for trade. Previously he served as a Representative of the Second District of Ohio in the United States Congress.

During his time in Congress, Director Portman served as the Chairman of the House Republican Leadership and was the liaison between the House Leadership and the White House. He was also an effective legislator who was known for reaching across the aisle to achieve results. He served as a Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, and as Vice Chairman of the House Budget Committee.

Director Portman’s specific legislative successes include authoring the law to curtail unfunded federal mandates; the first comprehensive reform of the Internal Revenue Service in 50 years -- adding over 50 new taxpayer rights; four laws to reduce substance abuse and its consequences through prevention and education; and three laws to encourage people to save more for retirement.

Prior to his service in Congress, Director Portman was an associate in the Washington law firm of Patton Boggs from 1984-1986. He worked as an associate and then a partner at the law firm of Graydon, Head and Ritchey from 1986-1989 and 1991-1993 in Cincinnati. He served in the first Bush White House from 1989-1991 as Associate Counsel to the President and later as Director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs.

Director Portman resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife Jane and their three children, Jed, Will and Sally.

Portman resigned as Director of the Office of Management and Budget in 2007.