Center for Presidential Transition gears up for 2020 election with new data on second term poilitical appointments and new director David Marchick

July 11, 2019

2020 programming will reinforce the Center as the ‘go to’ nonpartisan source for presidential transition expertise

WASHINGTON – Roughly one year from Election Day, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service launched its 2020 transition efforts for the Center for Presidential Transition – the nation’s premier source of information and resources to help presidential candidates and their teams lay the groundwork for a new administration or for a president’s second term.

The Center will also host today a panel discussion with former White House chiefs of staff Joshua Bolten and Denis McDonoughonthe importance and need for early transition planning for both an administration seeking a second term as well as candidates seeking to become president.    

“Presidential transitions are major undertakings with a great deal at stake,” said Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service. “If done well, an effective transition for a new president or to a second term can lead to an administration’s long-term success.”

While presidential campaigns focus on winning the election, candidates from each party, along with career federal agency officials, need to plan early for the challenges of either a second term or a new administration.    

“Being fully ready to lead requires extensive planning long before Election Day on policy, political appointments and governance by presidential hopefuls and incumbent presidents alike,” said Joshua Bolten, former White House chief of staff and Center advisory board member. “The Center for Presidential Transition is a terrific resource that can help transition teams navigate this process.”  

Since 2016, the Partnership has showcased data demonstrating that new presidents have the enormous task of making 4,000 political appointments, including more than 1,200 that require Senate confirmation. New data from the Partnership shows that second term administrations have historically faced substantial turnover, underscoring the importance of early preparation to ensure top jobs are filled with qualified individuals.

The new data shows that from about Election Day through the first six months of the second terms of Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama, 43% of their Cabinet secretaries, deputy secretaries and undersecretaries at 15 major agencies left their jobs. Only 11% of the individuals appointed to these positions during the first year in each of the three administrations stayed until the end of the eighth year.

From supplying data and research to providing access to experts and historic transition materials, the Center assists presidential candidates, incumbent administrations and federal agencies with transition planning. The Center also helps prepare presidential appointees to succeed, advocates for process reforms with Congress and identifies and promotes sound management practices.

“The election of a new president or reelection of an incumbent marks a significant turning point for the nation,” said Tom Nides, vice chairman of Morgan Stanley and member of the Partnership’s board of directors. “The Center stands ready to work with all presidential candidates to assist in their transition planning and help set them up for success.”

The Center will be led by David Marchick, who most recently served as managing director and global head of external affairs at the Carlyle Group. Marchick, who is serving in a volunteer capacity, worked in four agencies during the Clinton administration including the White House. During his seven years in government, Marchick held several positions where he worked on a bipartisan basis to advance U.S. trade, transportation and international investment policy, including as deputy assistant secretary for the departments of State and Commerce.

“With David Marchick as its new director, the Center will excel and build on its mission and the resources it offers,” Bolten said. “David brings a commitment to excellence and a wealth of experience working in a bipartisan manner.”

Marchick said, the Center stands ready to assist presidential hopefuls and the current administration.

“I am excited for the opportunity to work with the Center’s exceptional team and collaborate with both sides of the aisle on these important issues,” Marchick said.

In 2020, the Center will unveil an updated Presidential Transition Guide that includes best practices and lessons learned from prior transition teams and provides a roadmap for transition planning and advice on getting ready for a second term. The Center offers a comprehensive library of transition documents from previous Republican and Democratic transition efforts; a new set of tools to support individuals who want to serve, including guidance on vetting, clearance and confirmation processes; and materials for intelligence and national security transition preparation.

To learn more about the Center’s 2020 transition efforts and how to ensure that all administrations are set up for success, subscribe to our newsletter and visit presidentialtransition.org today.

During the past 18 years, the Partnership has been dedicated to making the federal government more effective for the American people. We work across administrations to help transform the way government operates by increasing collaboration, accountability, efficiency and innovation. Visit ourpublicservice.org to learn more. Follow us on social @RPublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more.