Erskine Bowles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Erskine Bowles
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Bowles in 2010
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| 16th President of the University of North Carolina system | |
| In office October 3, 2005 – December 31, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Molly Corbett Broad |
| Succeeded by | Thomas W. Ross |
| Co-Chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform | |
| In office February 18, 2010 – December 1, 2010 Serving with Alan Simpson
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| 19th White House Chief of Staff | |
| In office January 20, 1997 – October 20, 1998 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Deputy | Sylvia Mathews Burwell John David Podesta |
| Preceded by | Leon Panetta |
| Succeeded by | John Podesta |
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| In office October 3, 1994 – January 11, 1996 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Philip Lader |
| Succeeded by | Evelyn S. Lieberman |
| 18th Administrator of the Small Business Administration | |
| In office May 7, 1993 – October 3, 1994 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Pat Saiki |
| Succeeded by | Philip Lader |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 8, 1945 Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Crandall Close
(m. 1971) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent |
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| Education | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA) Columbia University (MBA) |
Erskine Boyce Bowles (born August 8, 1945) is an American businessman and political leader from North Carolina. He is known for working in the White House and leading a major university system. From 1997 to 1998, he was the 19th White House Chief of Staff for President Bill Clinton. He also served as the president of the University of North Carolina system from 2005 to 2010.
In 2010, Bowles helped lead a special group called the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. This group worked to find ways to manage the government's money better. He did this job alongside Alan Simpson.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Erskine Bowles was born and grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. His father, Skipper Bowles, was a Democratic politician. Erskine graduated from Virginia Episcopal School. He then went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied business.
After college, Bowles briefly served in the United States Coast Guard. He then earned a business degree (an MBA) from Columbia Business School. After finishing his studies, he worked for a financial company called Morgan Stanley in New York City.
In 1971, he married Crandall Close. They moved to North Carolina and had three children. In 1975, Bowles helped start his own investment banking company. He worked in the business world for many years.
Working with President Clinton
In 1992, Bowles helped raise money for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign. After Clinton became president, he asked Bowles to lead the Small Business Administration in 1993. This agency helps small businesses in the U.S.
From 1994 to 1995, Bowles worked as President Clinton's White House Deputy Chief of Staff. This role helps manage the daily operations of the White House. He then returned to North Carolina for a short time.
In 1996, President Clinton asked Bowles to return to the White House as his White House Chief of Staff. This is a very important job, as the Chief of Staff helps the president manage their schedule and staff. One of Bowles's main tasks was to work on the federal budget with Congress. He left this role in 1998 and went back to working in finance in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Running for Senate
Even though he wasn't sure about running for office at first, Bowles decided to try for the United States Senate in 2001. He wanted to represent North Carolina. He won the nomination from the Democratic Party. However, in the 2002 election, he lost to Republican candidate Elizabeth Dole.
In 2004, Bowles ran for the Senate again. He faced Republican Richard Burr. Both campaigns spent a lot of money and had strong disagreements. Despite being ahead in early polls, Bowles lost this election as well.
After his Senate campaigns, in 2005, Bowles took on a special role. He became the United Nations Deputy Special Envoy for countries affected by the Tsunami. He worked with Bill Clinton again in this role.
Leading the University of North Carolina
On October 3, 2005, Erskine Bowles was chosen to be the President of the University of North Carolina system. This means he was in charge of all the public universities in North Carolina. He took over from Molly Corbett Broad.
During his time as president, he made important decisions. He spoke at a memorial service for a student who passed away, Eve Carson. In 2010, Bowles announced that he would retire from his position. Thomas W. Ross became the new president after him.
The Bowles-Simpson Commission
In 2010, President Barack Obama asked Bowles to co-chair a special group. This group was called the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. Bowles worked with Alan K. Simpson to lead it. Their job was to find ways to reduce the government's budget deficit (when the government spends more money than it takes in).
The commission worked hard to create a plan. However, their report was not officially adopted by the Obama administration. Bowles later said he was surprised by this decision.
Later Career and Board Roles
After his time in government and at the university, Bowles continued to be active in the business world. He has been a member of the board of directors for several large companies. These include General Motors, Morgan Stanley, Norfolk Southern Corporation, and North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. He also serves on the North Carolina Advisory Board of DonorsChoose, an organization that helps teachers get supplies for their classrooms.
In 2011, Facebook, Inc. announced that Erskine Bowles had joined its board of directors. A board of directors helps guide a company's decisions.
In 2012, some people thought Bowles might run for Governor of North Carolina. However, on February 2, 2012, he announced that he would not seek the governorship. He also serves on the board of Cousins Properties, Inc., Belk, Inc., and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
Electoral History
- 2004 United States Senate election in North Carolina
- Richard Burr (R), 52%
- Erskine Bowles (D), 47%
- 2002 United States Senate election in North Carolina
- Elizabeth Dole (R), 54%
- Erskine Bowles (D), 45%
See also
- North Carolina Democratic Party
