Mack McLarty facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mack McLarty
Counselor to the President
In office July 17, 1994 – June 30, 1998
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	David Gergen
Succeeded by	Paul Begala
17th White House Chief of Staff
In office January 20, 1993 – July 17, 1994
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	James Baker
Succeeded by	Leon Panetta
Chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas
In office 1974–1976
Succeeded by	Herby Branscum Jr.
Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the 34th district
In office 1971–1973
Preceded by	Talbot Feild Jr.
Succeeded by	John Hoffman
Personal details
Born	Thomas Franklin McLarty III (1946-06-14) June 14, 1946 (age 79) Hope, Arkansas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	University of Arkansas (BA)

Thomas Franklin "Mack" McLarty, born on June 14, 1946, is an American leader in both business and politics. He is best known for being President Bill Clinton's first White House Chief of Staff from 1993 to 1994. After that, he worked as a special advisor to the president until 1998.

Before working for the president, he was the head of Arkla, Inc., a natural gas company, from 1983 to 1992. During this time, President George H.W. Bush asked him to join important councils. Today, he leads McLarty Associates, a company that gives advice to businesses around the world. He also chairs the McLarty Companies, which is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Early Life and Education

Mack McLarty was born in Hope, Arkansas. His father ran a car dealership that his grandfather started in 1921. His mother was the first woman to join the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission.

As a teenager, McLarty was a talented athlete and a football quarterback. He was also the president of his high school's student council. In 1963, he was elected governor at Arkansas Boys State. This was the same year his childhood friend, Bill Clinton, was elected senator there.

McLarty went to the University of Arkansas. He was elected Student Body President and graduated with honors in 1968. He earned a degree in business administration. While at college, he met Donna Kaye Cochran, and they married in 1968. They moved back to Hope, where Mack joined his father's family business.

Starting a Business Career

At 23, McLarty successfully ran for a seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives. He served one term from 1971 to 1973. After this, he focused on growing his family's truck leasing business. It was first called M&M Leasing, then later McLarty Leasing.

McLarty took on many important roles in politics and business. He was president of the Hempstead County Industrial Foundation. He also served on the Democratic National Committee from 1974 to 1976 and chaired the State Democratic Party. He helped manage the money for successful campaigns, including those of Governor David Pryor and President Bill Clinton. McLarty also helped create a program called IMPAC. This program worked to get private companies to help put personal computers in Arkansas classrooms.

McLarty became the youngest board member of Arkla, Inc., a large natural gas company. He became its chief executive officer in 1983.

Working in the White House

After Bill Clinton won the 1992 election, McLarty helped lead the team that prepared for the new presidency. He then joined the Clinton administration. He served as President Clinton's first White House Chief of Staff from 1993 to June 1994. McLarty and Clinton have been friends since they were in kindergarten together in Hope, Arkansas.

During Clinton's first year as president, McLarty and his team helped achieve several important goals. They worked on President Clinton's plan to reduce the national debt. They also set up the first National Economic Council. They helped pass the Family and Medical Leave law and the NAFTA. They also helped pass and sign the Brady Bill, which put in place background checks for gun purchases.

After being Chief of Staff, McLarty became a counselor to the president. He served in the President's Cabinet for over five years. In this role, he helped coordinate the Centennial Games in Atlanta. He also organized the 1994 Summit of the Americas in Miami. This led to him being named Special Envoy for the Americas in December 1996. For his work, McLarty received the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Medal. He also received the highest civilian honors from seven different Latin American countries.

McLarty left the Clinton administration in June 1998.

McLarty Associates and Companies

After leaving government, Mack McLarty started an international advisory firm called McLarty Associates. He partnered with Nelson Cunningham, who also worked in the White House, and later with Henry Kissinger.

McLarty Associates is based in Washington D.C. It has a team of experts, including former ambassadors and foreign policy advisors. They offer advice on business in major markets around the world.

McLarty also returned to lead the McLarty Companies in 1998. This company includes 11 car dealerships in five states. In 2007, the company partnered with Robert L. Johnson, who founded Black Entertainment Television. As of 2017, their partnership, RML Automotive, has 47 car dealerships across the South Central, Southeast, and Midwest United States. It was ranked among the top dealerships in the U.S.

Current Activities

Mack McLarty continues to be involved in many important organizations. He is a member of the board for the Americas Society/Council of the Americas. He also advises the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He is a co-vice chair for the Inter-American Dialogue and serves on the board of directors for Union Pacific. He is a member of the advisory board for the University of Arkansas and a Senior International Fellow for the United States Chamber of Commerce. He is also part of the advisory board for the Energy Futures Initiative and the Partnership for Public Service Center for Presidential Transition. Since 2001, he has been a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

See also

• Kissinger Associates