John S. Herrington

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Stewart Herrington
John S. Herrington

In office
February 7, 1985 – January 20, 1989
President Ronald Reagan
Preceded by Donald P. Hodel
Succeeded by James D. Watkins

Born May 31, 1939
Flag of California Los Angeles, California

John Stewart Herrington (born May 31, 1939) is an American Republican politician. He served as the Secretary of Energy of the United States under Ronald Reagan during his second term.

Herrington was born in Los Angeles, California, and earned his A.B. at Stanford University in 1961 and his J.D. and LL.B. at the University of California School of Law in 1964. While attending Stanford University he joined The Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He practiced law privately as an attorney from 1965-1981, primarily in San Francisco, and publicly as deputy district attorney of Ventura County. Herrington was assistant secretary of the Navy from 1981 to 1983.

In the Reagan administration Herrington worked as deputy assistant for presidential personnel from 1983 until 1985, before serving as secretary of energy from 1985 to 1989.

After government service, Herrington was the Chairman of Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, Inc. Herrington remains active in politics in California, serving for a time as chairman of the state's Republican Party. He currently owns a nationally recognized steakhouse, develops real estate, and acts as an advisor to numerous corporations.


Preceded by
Donald Paul Hodel
United States Secretary of Energy
1985–1989
Succeeded by
James D. Watkins