Steve Ricchetti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steve Ricchetti
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Ricchetti in 2021
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| Counselor to the President | |
| In office January 20, 2021 – January 20, 2025 Serving with Jeff Zients (2021–2022)
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Hope Hicks Derek Lyons |
| Succeeded by | Alina Habba Peter Navarro |
| Chief of Staff to the Vice President | |
| In office December 1, 2013 – January 20, 2017 |
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| Vice President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Bruce Reed |
| Succeeded by | Josh Pitcock |
| White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations | |
| In office October 20, 1998 – January 20, 2001 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | John Podesta |
| Succeeded by | Joe Hagin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1957 (age 67–68) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Amy Ricchetti |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Miami University (BA) George Mason University (JD) |
Steven J. Ricchetti (born around 1957) is an American political helper. He recently worked as a top advisor, called a Counselor to the President, for President Joe Biden.
Before that, he was in charge of Joe Biden's team for the 2020 presidential election. Ricchetti also served as the main assistant, or Chief of Staff, to Vice President Biden. This was during the time Barack Obama was president. He also worked for President Bill Clinton as a Deputy Chief of Staff. When he wasn't working in government, Ricchetti helped companies talk to lawmakers as a lobbyist.
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Early Life and School
Steven J. Ricchetti grew up in Westlake, Ohio. He went to Westlake High School.
He earned his first degree from Miami University in Ohio in 1979. While there, he was the student body president. Later, he earned a law degree from the George Mason University School of Law.
Working in Politics
From 1987 to 1989, Ricchetti led the political team for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Then, from 1990 to 1992, he was the executive director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. In this role, he helped Harris Wofford win a special election for the Senate in Pennsylvania in 1991.
Working for President Clinton
From 1993 to 1996, Ricchetti worked at the White House for President Bill Clinton. He was a Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs. This meant he was President Clinton's main contact person for the Senate. He helped with important laws like the economic recovery act of 1993 and the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
After a few years working outside the government, Ricchetti returned to the White House in 1998. He helped manage relations with Democratic lawmakers during the time President Clinton faced impeachment proceedings. In 1999, he became a Deputy White House Chief of Staff. He took on more responsibilities. In 2000, he helped President Clinton's team work on trade relations with China. He worked with big companies like Boeing and Intel to explain the benefits of the trade agreement.
Working as a Lobbyist
In 2001, Ricchetti started his own company, Ricchetti, Inc., with his brother Jeff. This company helped businesses and groups talk to the government. Over the years, his company worked for many clients. These included companies like AT&T and Eli Lilly & Co., and groups like the American Hospital Association.
Working for Vice President Biden
In 2012, Ricchetti became an advisor to Vice President Joe Biden. He had stopped working as a lobbyist in 2008. This was important because President Obama had promised not to hire lobbyists. However, because Ricchetti hadn't personally lobbied for over two years, he was allowed to take the job. In 2013, Ricchetti became the Chief of Staff for Vice President Biden.
Ricchetti was the main planner for a possible presidential campaign for Joe Biden in 2016. However, Biden decided not to run that year.
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Ricchetti later led Joe Biden's presidential campaign for the 2020 elections. He helped the campaign raise money from financial groups.
Working for President Biden
On November 16, 2020, it was announced that Ricchetti would become a Counselor to the President in the new Biden administration. In this role, he acted as a go-between for government officials and lawmakers who wanted to talk to the President.
In 2023, Ricchetti, along with Shalanda Young and Louisa Terrell, helped lead talks for the Democratic side during the 2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis. This was about how much money the government could borrow.
In July 2024, he helped tell White House staff that President Biden was stepping down from the 2024 presidential election.
Other Activities
Ricchetti is on the board of advisors for the Center for Congress at Indiana University. He used to be on the boards of other groups, like the Center for American Progress, but he left those roles when he started working for Vice President Biden.
Personal Life
Ricchetti lives in McLean, Virginia. He has four children with his wife, Amy. Three of his children also work in the Biden administration. Daniel is a senior advisor in the State Department. J.J. is a special assistant in the Office of Legislative Affairs. Shannon is a deputy associate director in the Office of the Social Secretary.
