Jeff Zients

Jeff Zients

Jeffrey Dunston Zients is an American business executive and government official who has held various leadership roles in both the private and public sectors. Known for his expertise in management and operations, Zients has been influential in shaping policy and improving efficiency within the U.S. government.

Early Life and Education

Jeff Zients was born on November 12, 1966, in Washington, D.C. He attended St. Albans School, a private preparatory school in Washington, D.C. Zients went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Duke University in 1988.

Career in Business

Zients began his career at the management consulting firm Bain & Company, where he honed his skills in business strategy and operations. He later joined the Advisory Board Company, a healthcare research and consulting firm, where he served as Chief Operating Officer. Zients played a key role in the company's growth and eventual public offering.

In 2001, Zients co-founded Portfolio Logic, an investment firm focused on healthcare and business services. His success in the private sector established him as a prominent figure in business management.

Government Service

Office of Management and Budget

Zients was appointed by President Barack Obama as the Chief Performance Officer of the United States and Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 2009. In this role, he was responsible for improving government performance and efficiency.

Acting Director of OMB

Zients served as the Acting Director of the OMB twice, first from July 2010 to November 2010 and again from January 2012 to April 2013. During his tenure, he focused on streamlining government operations and reducing waste.

Healthcare.gov Rescue

In 2013, Zients was tasked with fixing the troubled rollout of Healthcare.gov, the federal health insurance exchange website. His leadership and management skills were credited with turning around the project and stabilizing the website.

COVID-19 Response Coordinator

In January 2021, President Joe Biden appointed Zients as the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator. In this role, Zients was responsible for overseeing the federal government's efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine distribution and public health measures.

Personal Life

Jeff Zients is married to Mary Menell, and they have four children. He is known for his commitment to public service and his ability to manage complex projects effectively.

Also see

• Office of Management and Budget
• Healthcare.gov
• COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
• Joe Biden
• Barack Obama