Anton Gunn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anton Gunn
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| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 79th district |
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| In office 2009–2011 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Cotty (politician) |
| Succeeded by | Mia McLeod |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 1, 1973 Portsmouth, Virginia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Tiffany Johnson-Gunn |
| Children | Ashley |
| Occupation | Motivational speaker and consultant |
Anton J. Gunn was born on March 1, 1973. He is a healthcare expert and a former American politician. He used to lead the Office of External Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This was under Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Since 2018, he has also helped lead the Health Care Voter campaign.
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Anton Gunn's Early Life and Education
Anton J. Gunn was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. This was on March 1, 1973. He went to Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Gunn later studied at the University of South Carolina (USC). There, he played American football for the South Carolina Gamecocks team. He also earned a master's degree from USC. This degree was in Social Work.
After playing football, Gunn worked for 12 years. He was a community organizer. He also worked as a leader for non-profit groups. This was in South Carolina and Washington, D.C.. He then became involved in politics.
Anton Gunn's Political Career
Anton Gunn played a big role in politics. He was the political director for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. This was during the primary elections in South Carolina. Gunn also served as a delegate. He attended the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
Serving in the South Carolina House
On November 4, 2008, Anton Gunn won an election. He defeated David Herndon to get a state legislative seat. He was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives. He represented District 79. This area included parts of Richland and Kershaw Counties. Gunn was the first African American to be elected from District 79.
In his first year, Gunn helped create many laws. He worked on 204 pieces of legislation. He pushed for "school choice" in public schools. He also signed a letter to President Obama. This letter asked for a climate change agreement. Gunn also helped pass an amendment. This amendment focused on making government more open.
Gunn was on the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs committee. He led work on healthcare laws. He wrote a law to create a special committee. This committee looked at using more health information technology. It also looked at electronic health records in South Carolina.
On August 13, 2010, Gunn announced he would not run again. He left his House seat. He accepted a job with the Obama Administration.
Working for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
On August 13, 2010, President Barack Obama chose Anton Gunn. He appointed Gunn as a Regional Director. This was for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. His region, Region IV, included eight states. These were Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Gunn was a senior leader for the Department in the Southeast.
Gunn worked with state and local governments. He built good relationships with governors and mayors. He also helped explain the Affordable Care Act. This law is about healthcare. He gave presentations to businesses and groups. He helped people understand the law's rules.
On April 4, 2012, Secretary Sebelius gave Gunn a new role. He became the Director of External Affairs. In this job, Mr. Gunn advised President Obama. He also advised Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. His advice was about how to put the Affordable Care Act into action. He also built relationships with outside groups.
Gunn was featured in a series about African Americans. This series highlighted people working on the Affordable Care Act. Gunn explained his job. He said he found people outside the government. These people wanted to help with the law. He gave them information and tools. This helped make the law work well.
In June 2013, Gunn was mentioned in The Hill.com. He was listed as one of '10 Players to Watch on Obamacare Rollout'. This was because he kept good relationships. He worked with powerful healthcare groups.
Anton Gunn's Career After Politics
In January 2014, Gunn started his own company. It is called 937 Strategy Group. This company helps healthcare technology startups. It also helps other businesses. They learn how to use new opportunities in healthcare. Gunn continued to support Obama's healthcare policy. In October 2014, he told The New York Times that the program was improving. He said about ten million people were covered.
In July 2014, Gunn became a Resident Fellow. This was at the Harvard Institute of Politics. He worked with students there. He led study groups. The Institute of Politics helps students think about careers in public service. In August 2014, Gunn got a new job. He became the Executive Director of Community Health Innovation. He also became Chief Diversity Officer. This was for the Medical University of South Carolina. He started this job in January 2015.
In January 2021, Gunn left MUSC Health. He wanted to grow his company, 937 Strategy Group. This company focuses on leadership training. It helps build better workplace cultures. The goal is for every employee to feel valued and respected.
Gunn believes that a "toxic workplace culture" is a big problem in healthcare. He says it causes low morale. It also leads to low engagement and high employee turnover. He works to help organizations create a better environment. This helps teams perform better. It also helps leaders focus on their main goal. That goal is to improve the health of patients and communities.
Anton Gunn's Personal Life
Anton Gunn's younger brother, Cherone L. Gunn, died on October 12, 2000. He was killed in a terrorist attack. This attack was on the USS Cole (DDG-67). Gunn says this sad event made him want to get involved in politics.
Gunn now lives in Columbia, SC. He lives there with his wife, Tiffany, and his daughter, Ashley.
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