Ray Jefferson
American management consultant From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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American management consultant From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Raymond M. Jefferson III (June 13, 1966 - October 13, 2024)[1] was an American government official and retired 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 | Albany, New York | June 13, 1966
Died | October 13, 2024 58) | (aged
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]
[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]
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]
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