David Urban

David Urban
Personal details
Born 1963/1964 (age 54–55)[1]
Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party Republican
Education United States Military Academy (BS)
University of Pennsylvania
(MPA)
Temple University (JD)

David Urban (born c. 1964) is an American lobbyist, political operative, and political commentator for CNN who worked on the 2016 Donald Trump presidential campaign, helping to orchestrate the 2016 Republican National Convention and serving as a senior advisor in the successful effort to win Pennsylvania.[2][3][4][5] It has been reported that Urban has been considered for several positions in the Trump Administration, including Chair of the Republican National Committee, White House Deputy Chief of Staff,[6][7] White House Chief of Staff,[3][8][9] and Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.[10]

Early life, education, and military service

A native of Aliquippa, Beaver County, Pennsylvania,[3][1] Urban was recruited to play football at Harvard University, but opted to instead attend the United States Military Academy at West Point,[11][5] where he was featured in the Black Knight's 1982 media guide.[11] An injury cut short his football career, [11] and he graduated in 1986 with a B.S..[4] Urban later simultaneously attended the University of Pennsylvania where he earned an M.G.A., and Temple University School of Law, where he received a J.D..[5][3][11]

Urban served as an artillery officer in the United States Army's 101st Airborne Division,[2] from 1986 to 1991. While serving in the Persian Gulf, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement during combat operations in Operation Desert Storm.[2][4][1]

Political career

Urban worked with the Philadelphia-based law firm of Ballard Spahr as a public finance attorney from 1994 to 1997,[4][5] when he became chief of staff to Senator Arlen Specter.[2][5]

In 2002 Urban became a partner at the American Continental Group (ACG), where he now serves as President.[8] ACG is a Washington-based lobbying firm that has worked with companies such as Comcast, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Raytheon. He was recognized on The Hill's "Top Lobbyists" list in 2015,[12] 2016,[13] and 2017.[14]

In April 2016, Urban joined Donald Trump's presidential campaign as senior advisor.[15] He was the deputy director of caucus operations and senior member on the ground in Cleveland for the 2016 Republican National Convention, spending over two months on that effort, and working to quell disruption by "Never Trump" delegates from the campaigns of other candidates.[2] Urban developed a relationship of frequent cell phone contact with Trump.[1] In November 2016, Urban helped gain the first presidential Republican win for Pennsylvania in over 28 years, and it was initially reported that he was being considered as the next chair of the Republican National Committee,[7] or White House Deputy Chief of Staff. The potential appointment was supported by former Republican Senator Rick Santorum and former Democratic Governor Ed Rendell.[6]

As a political commentator for CNN,[16] Urban has commented on matters such as the House passage of the ACHA,[17] Trump's April 2017 NRA speech,[18] and Trump's 100 day mark.[19] As of May 2017, Urban was involved in the Pennsylvania gubernatorial campaign of businessman and fellow West Point graduate Paul Mango.[1] It has frequently been reported that Trump was considering Urban to replace Reince Priebus as White House Chief of Staff.[20][3][9]

Other activities

Urban was an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University's H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management.[4] Urban is a member of the board of directors of the Museum of the American Revolution,[21] and the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund,[22] and a co-owner of PoliticsPA.[23] In May 2018, he was appointed by President Trump to the board of the American Battle Monuments Commission, and in July 2018, was elevated by Trump to be Chairman of that Commission.[24]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Potter, Chris (May 31, 2017). "Pa. native could play role in reorganized White House". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Meet Pa.'s David Urban, Trump tactician and 'traffic controller' at RNC". The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 20, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Janesch, Sam (June 5, 2017). "Reports: Pennsylvania native David Urban could be President Trump's next chief of staff". Lancaster Online.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "David Urban | ACG: American Continental Group". acg-consultants.com. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Burdo, Alison (November 11, 2016). "Trump's Pennsylvania campaign head: Here's how the Republican won the state". Philadelphia Business Journal.
  6. 1 2 Burdo, Alison (November 16, 2016). "What's next for Trump's Pa. campaign leader? West Wing, RNC chair rumors surface". Philadelphia Business Journal.
  7. 1 2 CNN, Dana Bash, Mark Preston and Daniella Diaz. "Pennsylvania political operative to be considered as RNC chair, sources say". CNN. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  8. 1 2 "Rumors grow that Trump's Pa. campaign head will join White House". Philadelphia Business Journal. May 30, 2017.
  9. 1 2 Riotta, Chris (July 5, 2017). "Who will Trump fire next? His July 4 White House shake-up deadline has passed". Newsweek.
  10. ↑ "Trump's top choice to be ambassador to Saudi Arabia is lobbyist Dave Urban". CBS News. August 25, 2017.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Billman, Jeff (January 28, 2011). "David Urban: The Patriot". Philadelphia.
  12. ↑ Dickson, Rebecca (October 29, 2015). "Top Lobbyists 2015: Hired Guns". The Hill.
  13. ↑ Dickson, Rebecca (October 26, 2016). "Top Lobbyists 2016: Hired Guns". The Hill.
  14. ↑ Ackil, Josh; Tanielian, Matt (November 2, 2017). "Top Lobbyists 2017: Hired Guns". The Hill.
  15. ↑ "Prominent GOP lobbyist joins Trump forces in Pennsylvania". Politico.com. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  16. ↑ DePaolo, Joe (June 8, 2017). "'I Don't Wanna Be Jeff Lord Redux': Trump Surrogate Has Moment Of Self-Awareness on CNN". www.mediaite.com.
  17. ↑ "CNN.com - Transcripts". www.cnn.com.
  18. ↑ "CNN.com - Transcripts". www.cnn.com.
  19. ↑ "CNN.com - Transcripts". www.cnn.com.
  20. ↑ Palmeri, Tara (June 11, 2017). "Trump gives Priebus until July 4th to clean up White House".
  21. ↑ Board of Directors profile of David Urban, Museum of the American Revolution, retrieved June 8, 2017.
  22. ↑ Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund Board of Directors, retrieved June 8, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Philly Mag Profiles PA Powerhouse Lobbyist David Urban". www.politicspa.com. January 28, 2011.
  24. ↑ "American Battle Monuments Commission: The Commission". July 21, 2018.
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