Ray Jefferson

Raymond M. Jefferson III (June 13, 1966 – October 13, 2024)^[1] was an American government official and military officer who was assistant secretary of labor for the Veterans' Employment and Training Service.^[2][3] He graduated from the United States Military Academy and served in the United States Army.^[4] During a training session as an Army officer with Special Forces, he lost all of his fingers on his left hand while attempting to protect his teammates from a defective hand grenade that was detonating prematurely.^[3]

Raymond M. Jefferson III
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training
In office 2009–2011
President	Barack Obama
Personal details
Born	(1966-06-13)June 13, 1966 Albany, New York
Died	October 13, 2024(2024-10-13) (aged 58)
Education	United States Military Academy (BS) Harvard University (MPA, MBA)
Military service
Branch/service	United States Army
Unit	3rd Ranger Battalion 1st Special Forces Group

In 2009, he was appointed to his position at the United States Department of Labor. He resigned in 2011 after an Inspector General's report concluded he had violated federal procurement rules.^[2] In 2019, the Inspector General reversed its ruling, stating that the claims were unsubstantiated.^[3] From 2011 until his death in 2024, he worked as the sole proprietor of a global leadership consultancy company.^[3][1]

Early life and education

Jefferson's parents were public servants.^[3] He was raised in Albany, New York^[5] and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology.^[4][6] Jefferson earned a Master of Public Administration degree in strategic management from the Kennedy School of Government, graduating with distinction as a Littauer Fellow.^[5][6] He also earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and received the Dean's Award for exceptional leadership and service.^[5][7]

Career

Jefferson was an army officer with the infantry and Special Forces, as well as the Presidential Honor Guard, 3rd Ranger Battalion and 1st Special Forces Group.^[5] In 1999, he lost all five fingers on his left hand while attempting to protect his teammates from a hand grenade detonating prematurely during Special Forces training.^[3] He recuperated from his injuries at the Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.^[5]

Jefferson was a White House Fellow from 2000 to 2001 as a special assistant to the United States secretary of commerce and the under secretary of state for management.^[5] He was then a Fulbright Fellow in Singapore studying leadership within Asian contexts.^[7]

In January 2003, Jefferson was appointed deputy director of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.^[5] In July 2003, he was awarded the Harrison H. Schmitt Leadership Award for dedication to public service.^[4][8] He also worked in Singapore as a leadership consultant at McKinsey & Company, developing leadership training and development programs for his clients.^[9]

In 2009, Jefferson was appointed by President Obama as assistant secretary for the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) of the United States Department of Labor.^[10]

Jefferson resigned from his position as assistant secretary on July 25, 2011, following accusations that he had violated federal procurement rules.^[2][11] An Inspector General's report alleged that two whistleblowers had reported that Jefferson directed VETS employees to award contracts to the management consultant Stewart Liff at a higher cost than could have been procured in an open selection process.^[2] On September 26, 2019, the inspector general reversed a predecessor's finding, stating that the accusations could not be substantiated. The government also agreed to pay some of Jefferson's legal fees.^[3]

Jefferson was the sole proprietor of Jefferson Group,^[12] a global leadership consultancy based in Singapore.^[3]

In March 2022, Jefferson was nominated by President Joe Biden as under secretary of veterans affairs for benefits.^[13] However, his nomination was withdrawn on July 11, 2022, after stalling in committee over Republicans' objections.^[14]

In 2022, Jefferson was appointed by President Joe Biden as a Member of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.^[15]

References

1. Schneider, H. Rose (October 29, 2024). "Raymond Jefferson III, Guilderland native, veteran with roles in private and public sector, dies at 58". Times Union. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
2. Lambrecht, Bill (July 28, 2011). "McCaskill criticizes Labor Department contracting 'boondoggle'". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
3. Davidson, Joe (September 23, 2020). "He was forced to resign after a government report criticized him. Eight years later, the government took it back". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
4. "Secretary of State Colin L. Powell Honors Two U.S. Veterans with First Harrison H. Schmitt Leadership Awards for Fulbright Alumni" (Press release). United States Department of State. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
5. "Governor Lingle Appoints Ray Jefferson as Deputy Director of DBEDT" (Press release). January 27, 2003. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
6. Abramson, Mark A.; Lawrence, Paul R. (2012). Paths to Making a Difference: Leading In Government. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 244. ISBN 978-1-4422-2388-2 – via Google Books.
7. Dawra, Preeti (July 18, 2014). "Ray Jefferson Leading by example". Mint. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
8. "Jefferson wins leadership award". Pacific Business News. July 28, 2003. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
9. "U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Veterans Services to Speak at Columbia University School of Social Work Commencement" (Press release). Columbia University. April 5, 2010. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
10. "Nomination Hearings of the 111th Congress: Part 2". US Government.
    - Igel, Lee (May 27, 2011). "Sports And Helping Military Veterans Transition To The Private Sector". Forbes. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
11. Vogel, Steve (July 28, 2011). "Raymond Jefferson leaves Labor Department after ethics finding". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
12. "Leadership on a Global Scale". Harvard Business School. July 6, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
13. "President Biden Announces Key Nominees" (Press release). The White House. March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
14. Shane III, Leo (July 19, 2022). "Nominee for top VA benefits job withdraws, restarting search". Military Times. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
15. The White House (August 26, 2022). "President Biden Announces Key Appointments to Boards and Commissions". White House (Press release). The White House. Retrieved September 18, 2023.