Jodey Arrington

Jodey Cook Arrington (born March 9, 1972) was a member of the Bush Administration dating back to George W. Bush's time as Governor of Texas.^[1] Arrington began his career as appointments manager for Governor Bush in 1996, where he remained until Bush's presidential victory in 2000. Arrington was then appointed Special Assistant to the President and Associate Director of Presidential Personnel.^[2] In 2001, Donald E. Powell, the 18th Chairman of the FDIC hired Arrington as chief of staff^[3] for the agency. He later served as Deputy Federal Coordinator for the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding. In 2006, Arrington left the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding to return to his alma mater, Texas Tech University as its System Chief of Staff. In 2014, he ran unsuccessfully for the Teas State Senate district 28 in a special election; losing to Charles Perry 53% to 30%.^[4]

Early life and education

Arrington was born in Plainview, Texas to Gene and Betty Arrington. His father, was a basketball player at Texas Tech University,^[5][6] lettering in 1958, 1959, and 1960 ^[7] under coach Polk Robison. In high school, Arrington was a multi-sport athlete, and was a state-ranked tennis player.^[8]

After graduating from Plainview High School, Arrington went on to attend Texas Tech University, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta men's fraternity. He also walked on to the football team under Spike Dykes. He graduated in 1994 with a BA in political science, but remained at Texas Tech to pursue a master's in public administration, which he completed in 1997. In 2004, he earned a Certificate of International Business Management from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University.

Governor's Office

In 1996, Arrington was hired by Governor George W. Bush as an appointments manager. During his tenure in the Governor's Office, Arrington was responsible for recruiting, vetting, and making recommendations for over 200 positions on state-wide governing, regulatory, and advisory boards and commissions.^[9]

White House

After Bush's election as president in 2000, Arrington was asked to join the White House staff as Special Assistant to the President and Associate Director of Presidential Personnel,^[10] where he served under Clay Johnson III. For the next year, Arrington briefed and made recommendations to the President, Vice-President Dick Cheney, and Chief of Staff Andy Card. During his time in the Office of Presidential Personnel, Arrington managed an executive search team that helped the Office fill over 5,000 total executive level, board, and commission positions.^[11] He specialized in appointments relating to energy, the environment and natural resources.^[12]

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

In 2001, at age 28, Arrington became one of the youngest chiefs of staff in the history of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,^[13] an independent regulatory agency with over 5,300 employees, eight regional offices, a budget over $1 billion, and the regulation of nearly 9,000 US banks,^[14] where he served under the 18th Chairman, Donald E. Powell.^[15] As Powell's chief of staff, Arrington managed and oversaw the offices of the Chairman, Policy Development, and Public Affairs, all of which he reorganized to increase efficiency. In 2002, Arrington began chairing the FDIC Board Appeals Committee^[16] and served in Powell's place on the Audit Committee.^[17]

Arrington's assistance played a significant role in several of Powell's crowning achievements, including: helping pass the Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2006, reorganizing senior management, reducing agency staff by approximately twenty percent, modernizing technology systems, reforming personnel policies, and creating a state-of-the-art training and development center.

Gulf Coast rebuilding

In 2005, in the wake of FEMA's response to Hurricane Katrina, President Bush established the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding by executive order.^[18] Bush quickly tabbed Donald E. Powell as Federal Coordinator, who appointed Arrington as Deputy Federal Coordinator and Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Arrington worked with the Governors of the affected states, as well as military officials, local authorities and charitable organizations.^[19][20][21] Powell and Arrington were responsible for developing and executing the Federal Government's recovery efforts, as well as coordinating with local, state and federal officials. By the end of Arrington's first year in the Gulf Coast, he had aided Powell in the procurement and implementation of much of the $120 billion spent on infrastructure and assistance relief.^[22]

Texas Tech

After a year with the Federal Coordinator's post, Arrington decided to return home to his alma mater, Texas Tech, as its System's Chief of Staff.^[23] The Tech System includes Texas Tech University, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and Angelo State University. It has over 40,000 students and nearly 20,000 employees. The system has a budget of roughly $1.3 billion and has campuses throughout the state.

Since returning to Lubbock, Arrington has spearheaded the System's Strategic Plan^[24] and its Enrollment Task Force. He also serves as the primary liaison to the Vice Chancellors throughout the System.^[25]

One of Arrington's biggest contributions has been his role in helping TTUHSC secure the naming rights to the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health.^[26] Since securing the naming rights in 2007, the institute has been responsible for raising nearly $10 million for healthcare issues affecting women.^[27]

Awards and honors

Arrington was the recipient of the 2003 Distinguished Public Service Award as part of the 22nd annual Center for Public Service Symposium in Lubbock, Texas.^[28]

References

External links

• http://www.linkedin.com/in/jodeyarrington
• http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/2010-11-28/tech-leader-looks-back-katrina
• http://www.c-spanvideo.org/jodeycarrington