David Simas

David Matos Simas^[1][2] (born January 5, 1970)^[2][1] is an American lawyer, former government official, and a former politician. He was the President of the Obama Foundation from 2021 to 2023,^[3] having previously served as its CEO from 2016 to 2021^[4][5] and served in Barack Obama's administration as the White House Director of Political Affairs from 2014 to 2016.^[6][7]

David Simas
Simas in 2021
White House Director of Political Affairs
In office January 24, 2014 – December 19, 2016
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Patrick Gaspard (2011)
Succeeded by	Bill Stepien
Personal details
Born	David Matos Simas (1970-01-05) January 5, 1970 (age 55) Taunton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Shauna
Children	2
Education	Stonehill College (BA) Boston College (JD)

Early life and education

Simas was born and raised in Taunton, Massachusetts, the son of Portuguese American immigrant parents, António and Deolinda Simas.^[2] Deolinda lost two of her fingers in a faulty machine at the silver factory where she worked when David was a child. The Portuguese immigrant lawyer who worked on the case inspired David to become a lawyer.^[5] He attended Coyle and Cassidy High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stonehill College.^[2] He later earned a Juris Doctor from the Boston College Law School in 1995.^[6]

Career

Simas began his political career working as an intern in Senator Edward M. Kennedy's office in 1989.^[8] He was later elected to the Taunton School Board in 1993 and the Taunton City Council in 1997 and 1999.^[8][9] He later served as president of the council and worked as an advisor to the mayor of Taunton.^[9]

After leaving the city council he served as an assistant register of deeds for the Northern district office of the Bristol County Registry of Deeds.^[10] He was later elected as the new Register of Deeds of the Northern district of Bristol County in 2004.^[11] He won reelection in 2006 but later resigned to accept a position in Governor Deval Patrick's administration.^[11]

He formerly served as deputy general counsel to the Massachusetts House of Representatives Post Audit and Oversight Bureau and practiced law with the law firm of Gay & Gay Associates, PC.^[9][1]

He worked as deputy chief of staff to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick from 2007 until 2009. In 2009, he joined the Obama White House as a deputy assistant to the president, working under Senior Advisor David Axelrod.

He worked as director of opinion research for President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign and then served as a liaison between the president and Democratic officials for two and a half years.^[12]

Simas was appointed CEO of the Obama Foundation in December 2016.^[4]

Personal life

Simas married his high school sweetheart, Shauna. They have two daughters and live in Los Angeles, CA.^[2][5]

References

1. Morton, Paradise, Kenneth G., Papalinka (December 2007). The Massachusetts Political Almanac 2007. Center For Leadership Studies. ISBN 9780926766341.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
2. Perl, Peter (Summer 2014). "Meet the unflappable, unrelentingly positive David Simas". BC Law School Magazine. Boston College Law School. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
3. "Obama Foundation President David Simas leaving | Crain's Chicago Business".
4. Eilperin, Juliet (December 19, 2016). "White House political director David Simas joins Obama Foundation as CEO". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 16, 2019.

   • Also available at: Grenzebach Glier and Associates
5. Bertagnoli, Lisa (May 3, 2018). "Meet the CEO of the Obama Foundation". Crain's Chicago Business. Crain Communications, Inc. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
6. Shear, Michael D. (March 1, 2014). "Obama's new political chief tries to reassure Democrats". The New York Times. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
7. Allen, Jonathan; Parnes, Amie (2017). ""I'm sorry"". Shattered: inside Hillary Clinton's doomed campaign. New York: Crown. ISBN 9780553447095.
8. American Journal, Portuguese (January 25, 2013). "Appointed: David Simas named Assistant to President Barack Obama – Washington, DC". Portuguese American Journal.
9. Lowe, James F. (November 23, 2006). "Patrick picks 2 for team - Mayor, prof tapped". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Northampton, Massachusetts.
10. BRISTOL COUNTY REGISTRY OF DEEDS NORTHERN DISTRICT Website (archived October 1, 2003)
11. "PD43+ » Candidate Profile..." PD43+.
12. Dovere, Edward-Isaac (January 24, 2014). "W.H. to launch new political office". Politico. Retrieved August 7, 2021.

External links

• Letter from David Simas, CEO - The Obama Foundation

Government offices
Vacant Title last held by Patrick Gaspard 2011	White House Director of Political Affairs 2014–2016	Succeeded by Bill Stepien