Jack Watson (presidential adviser) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jack Watson
Watson in 1977
9th White House Chief of Staff
In office June 11, 1980 – January 20, 1981
President	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	Hamilton Jordan
Succeeded by	James Baker
White House Cabinet Secretary
In office January 20, 1977 – June 11, 1980
President	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	James E. Connor
Succeeded by	Gene Eidenberg
Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
In office January 20, 1977 – June 11, 1980
President	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	Herbert McCoy
Succeeded by	Gene Eidenberg
Personal details
Born	Jack Hearn Watson Jr. (1938-10-24) October 24, 1938 (age 86) El Paso, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Teena Watson (m. 1977)
Children	2
Education	Vanderbilt University (BA) Harvard University (LLB)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Rank	Captain
Unit	1st Force Reconnaissance Company

Jack Hearn Watson Jr. (born October 24, 1938) is an American corporate strategist and political aide. He is best known for serving as the White House Chief of Staff for President Jimmy Carter from 1980 to 1981. This important role means he was a top advisor and manager for the President.

Early Life and Education

Jack Watson was born in El Paso, Texas, in 1938. He attended Vanderbilt University, where he was a very good student. After Vanderbilt, he went to Harvard Law School to study law.

Military Service

Before his political career, Watson served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a Pathfinder and a Reconnaissance Team Leader. He was part of the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. He left the Marines with the rank of Captain.

Family Life

Jack Watson has two children, Lincoln and Melissa. He married Teena Watson in 1977.

Political Career

Jack Watson played a key role in Jimmy Carter's journey to the presidency. In 1976, he led the Carter-Mondale Policy Planning Group. This group helped plan what President Carter would do if elected.

Working with President Carter

After Carter won the election, Watson directed the team that helped with the transition of government. This team made sure everything ran smoothly when President Ford left office and President Carter took over.

From 1977 to 1981, during the Carter administration, Watson held several important jobs:

• Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs: He helped connect the White House with state and local governments.
• Secretary to the Cabinet: He managed the meetings and work of the President's Cabinet members.
• White House Chief of Staff: This was his most senior role, where he managed the White House staff and advised the President.

Watson also led the President's Interagency Coordinating Council. This group was created in 1978 to help different government agencies work together. They focused on carrying out the President's plans for the country.

Early Influences

Before working in the White House, Watson was a successful lawyer in Atlanta. He was a close helper to Jimmy Carter during his campaigns to become governor. He was also very close to Carter’s mother, "Miss Lillian." Watson was known for being inspiring and encouraging to those he worked with.

After the White House

After leaving the Carter administration, Jack Watson continued his career. From 1998 to 2000, he worked as the Chief Legal Strategist for Monsanto Company. This role involved leading legal strategies for the company.

External links

• Biography from a University of Miami website
• https://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/assets/documents/findingaids/Watson_Jack.pdf