Appointment of Robert J. Portman as Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs

The President today announced the appointment of Robert J. Portman as Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs. He would succeed Gordon Wheeler.

Since 1989 Mr. Portman has served as Associate Counsel to the President. Prior to this, he served as an attorney in the law firm of Graydon, Head and Ritchey in Cincinnati, OH, 1986 - 1989; and an attorney with the law firm of Patton, Boggs and Blow in Washington, DC, 1984 - 1986. In addition, he has served as public affairs officer and research associate on the Congressional/Presidential Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy in Washington, DC, 1979 - 1981, and he has worked for Representative Bill Gradison (R - OH).

Mr. Portman graduated from Dartmouth College (B.A., 1979) and the University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 1984). He was born December 19, 1955, in Cincinnati, OH. Mr. Portman is married and resides in Alexandria, VA.