Alex Azar
Alex Michael Azar II (born June 17, 1967) is an American politician and businessman. He was the 24th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services from January 29, 2018 to January 20, 2021. He was the United States Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services under George W. Bush from 2005 to 2007.[1] From 2012 to 2017, Azar was President of Eli Lilly and Company. He was a member of the board of directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, a pharmaceutical lobby.
Alex Azar | |
---|---|
24th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services | |
In office January 29, 2018 – January 20, 2021 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Deputy | Eric Hargan |
Preceded by | Tom Price |
Succeeded by | Xavier Becerra |
United States Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services | |
In office July 22, 2005 – February 4, 2007 | |
President | George W. Bush |
Preceded by | Claude Allen |
Succeeded by | Tevi Troy |
General Counsel of the United States Department of Health and Human Services | |
In office August 2001 – July 2005 | |
President | George W. Bush |
Preceded by | Harriet S. Rabb |
Succeeded by | Daniel Meron |
Personal details | |
Born | Alex Michael Azar II June 17, 1967 Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Jennifer |
Children | 2 |
Residence | Indianapolis, Indiana |
Education | Dartmouth College (BA) Yale University (JD) |
On November 13, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Azar to be the next United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.[2] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 24, 2018.
Early life
Azar was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was raised in Salisbury, Maryland. He studied at Dartmouth College and at Yale University.[3][4]
Career
Azar was as a law clerk for Judge J. Michael Luttig of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and then as a law clerk for Associate Justice Antonin Scalia of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1992 to 1993.[4]
From 1994 to 1996, he served as an Associate Independent Counsel for Kenneth W. Starr in the United States Office of the Independent Counsel.[5]
Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services (2005–2007)
On August 3, 2001, Azar was confirmed to be the General Counsel of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.[6]
On July 22, 2005, Azar was confirmed as the United States Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services.[7] He was twice confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate. He worked under Secretary Mike Leavitt. Azar resigned in January 2007.[8]
Business career
In June 2007, Azar joined Eli Lilly and Company as its Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communications, where he “lead Lilly public affairs and lobbying efforts.”[9]
On January 1, 2012, Azar became President of Lilly USA, LLC, the largest division of Eli Lilly and Company and was responsible for the company's entire operations in the United States.[10] In January 2017, Azar resigned from Eli Lilly.[11]
Secretary of Health and Human Services (since 2018)
On November 13, 2017, President Trump announced via Twitter that Azar was his nominee to be the next United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.[2]
His nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 24, 2018.[12] He was sworn in on January 29.
Personal life
Azar is married to Jennifer Azar. They have two children. They live in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Alex Azar Media
Azar (on right) with Ken Starr and Brett Kavanaugh in the 1990s
Azar and his family with President Trump and Vice President Pence shortly after being sworn in as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services in January 2018
President Trump, Kellyanne Conway, Senator Mitt Romney, and Azar during a White House listening session on youth vaping and the electronic cigarette epidemic
Azar speaks to the White House press corps on COVID-19 in March 2020
President Trump, with Azar, signs the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act into law in March 2020
Azar holds a briefing on the release of the COVID-19 vaccine
Azar with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan in August 2020
References
- ↑ "PN430 - Nomination of Alex Azar II for Department of Health and Human Services, 109th Congress (2005-2006)". U.S. Congress. July 22, 2005.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Trump Chooses Alex Azar for Health and Human Services Secretary. The New York Times. November 13, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/us/politics/alex-azar-health-human-services-trump.html. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
- ↑ "Alex Azar '91". Yale Law School. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Alex M. Azar II - Biography". World Congress. Archived from the original on 2018-07-07. Retrieved 2017-11-14.
- ↑ RISEN, JAMES (September 13, 1994). "Starr Names His First Whitewater Aides: Investigation: Independent counsel announces appointments to fill out prosecution team. He names a Fiske holdover as a top deputy.". Los Angeles Times. . http://articles.latimes.com/1994-09-13/news/mn-38169_1_independent-counsel.
- ↑ "PN492 - Nomination of Alex Azar II for Department of Health and Human Services, 107th Congress (2001-2002)". United States Congress. August 3, 2001.
- ↑ "PN430 - Nomination of Alex Azar II for Department of Health and Human Services, 109th Congress (2005-2006)". United States Congress. July 22, 2005.
- ↑ "Azar resigns as HHS deputy secretary". BioCentury. January 17, 2007.(subscription needed)
- ↑ Mathis-Lilley, Ben (November 13, 2017). "Trump Health Secretary Nominee Left Job Overseeing Eli Lilly Investigation to Become Eli Lilly’s Top Lobbyist". Slate. http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/11/13/alex_azar_health_secretary_nominee_oversaw_worked_for_eli_lilly.html.
- ↑ PRNewswire (October 11, 2011). "Lilly Announces Changes in Senior Management". Press release. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lilly-announces-changes-in-senior-management-131508298.html.
- ↑ PRNewswire (January 5, 2017). "Lilly to Adjust Organization and Leadership Structure to Better Align with Growth Opportunities". Press release. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lilly-to-adjust-organization-and-leadership-structure-to-better-align-with-growth-opportunities-300386251.html.
- ↑ "Alex Azar is Confirmed as Health and Human Services Secretary". The New York Times. January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.