Samuel K. Skinner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel K. Skinner
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Official portrait
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| 15th White House Chief of Staff | |
| In office December 16, 1991 – August 23, 1992 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Deputy | Andrew Card Henson Moore |
| Preceded by | John H. Sununu |
| Succeeded by | James Baker |
| 10th United States Secretary of Transportation | |
| In office February 6, 1989 – December 15, 1991 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Deputy | Elaine Chao |
| Preceded by | James Burnley |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Card |
| United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois | |
| In office 1975–1977 |
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| President | Gerald Ford |
| Preceded by | James R. Thompson |
| Succeeded by | Thomas P. Sullivan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Samuel Knox Skinner
June 10, 1938 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Honey Jacobs |
| Children | 5 (including Jane) |
| Education | University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (BS) DePaul University (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1960–1961 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
Samuel Knox Skinner (born June 10, 1938) is an American politician, lawyer, and businessman. He is known for his work in government and business. Skinner served in important roles under President George H. W. Bush. These roles included U.S. Secretary of Transportation and White House Chief of Staff. Before working for President Bush, Skinner was a United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. He held this position under President Gerald R. Ford from 1975 to 1977.
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Growing Up and Education
Samuel Skinner was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 10, 1938. He grew up in Springfield, Illinois and Wheaton, Illinois. In 1956, he graduated from Wheaton Community High School.
He went on to study at the University of Illinois. In 1960, he earned a degree in accounting. After college, he served in the United States Army for a year. He was a lieutenant and led a tank platoon.
Skinner later attended DePaul University Law School. He graduated in 1966. He was also very involved with the Boy Scouts. He earned the Eagle Scout award as a young person. As an adult, he received special honors from the Boy Scouts.
After his military service, Skinner worked for IBM. He held different sales and management jobs from 1960 to 1968. He was even named Outstanding Salesman of the Year in 1967. Even though he was offered a big job at IBM, Skinner chose to work in public service instead.
His Career in Law
From 1968 to 1975, Skinner worked as an assistant United States Attorney. This job involved working for the government to enforce laws. In 1975, President Gerald Ford appointed him as the main United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. He was 37 years old at the time.
As an assistant U.S. Attorney, Skinner worked to fight organized crime. He also worked against public corruption. In 1974, he helped successfully prosecute a federal judge. This was a very important case in U.S. history.
After leaving the U.S. Attorney's office, Skinner worked as a lawyer. He was a senior partner at a law firm called Sidley Austin LLP from 1977 to 1989. While working there, he also led the regional transportation authority in northeastern Illinois. This was the second-largest public transportation system in the country.
During this time, President Reagan also appointed Skinner to a special commission. This commission focused on organized crime.
Working for President Bush
After his law career, Skinner became active in politics. He helped George H. W. Bush in his presidential campaigns. Skinner led Bush's efforts in Illinois for both the 1980 and 1988 elections.
In December 1988, President Bush chose Skinner to be the United States Secretary of Transportation. The Senate approved him, and he started the job in February 1989.
Secretary of Transportation
As Secretary of Transportation, Skinner was in charge of a huge government department. It had a budget of over $30 billion and 105,000 employees. He achieved many important things in this role.
He helped create a national transportation plan for the President. He also helped pass important laws about aviation and surface transportation. Skinner made rules that required wheelchair lifts on buses. He also helped develop a law that improved transportation systems across the country.
Skinner also created the "open skies" policy for the United States. This policy made it easier for international flights to come to and from the U.S. This greatly increased the number of flights.
He also helped the President during many emergencies. These included the Exxon Valdez oil spill and Hurricane Hugo. Because of his work in these crises, people sometimes called him "the Master of Disaster."
White House Chief of Staff
In December 1991, Skinner took on a new role. He became the White House Chief of Staff. This is a very important job, as the Chief of Staff manages the White House staff. They also help the President with his daily schedule and policy goals.
As Chief of Staff, Skinner helped carry out the President's plans for the country. He worked to prepare for the 1992 general election. He served in this position until August 1992. Then, he left to work full-time on the President's re-election campaign.
After the Bush Administration
After leaving the White House, Skinner returned to Chicago. He became president of Commonwealth Edison and Unicom Corporation from 1993 to 1998. These companies are involved in providing electricity.
Later, he became co-chairman of a law firm. He also served as chairman, president, and CEO of US Freightways. He retired from that role in 2003.
Today, Skinner serves on the boards of several companies. These include Navigant Consulting and Echo Global Logistics. He is also an advisor to Metalmark Capital. Since 2006, he has worked at the law firm Greenberg Traurig.
From 2003 to 2008, Skinner taught at Northwestern University. He was a professor of management and strategy. He also helps advise the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy. Recently, he was asked to lead a group helping Chicago recover from the economic effects of COVID-19.
His Family Life
Samuel Skinner has five children. Three of his children are from his first marriage to Susan Ann Thomas. His oldest son, Thomas Vernon Skinner, has worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Another son, Steven Knox Skinner, is the CEO of a company that manages golf courses. His daughter, Jane Skinner Goodell, was a news anchor. She is married to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Skinner lives in Winnetka, Illinois, with his current wife, Honey Jacobs Skinner. She is a retired lawyer. Together, they have two sons, Samuel Jacobs Skinner and William Curran Skinner. The actress Gillian Jacobs is his niece through marriage.
Awards and Honors
Samuel Skinner has received several awards and honors. He has been given honorary degrees from George Washington University and Lake Forest College.
In 2017, he received the Order of Lincoln. This is the highest honor given by the state of Illinois. He was recognized for his work in government and law.
