Since, July 2006, Jim Wilkinson has served as Chief of Staff for Secretary Hank Paulson at the Department of Treasury.
Prior to joining Treasury, Wilkinson served as Senior Advisor to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice from January 2005 to July 2006. In this role Wilkinson served as Secretary Rice’s senior communications strategist and a key policy advisor; he managed the Secretary’s foreign travel, scheduling and engagement with foreign leaders; and he oversaw special projects on behalf of the Secretary. Subsequent to Secretary Rice’s appointment, in December of 2004 and January of 2005, Wilkinson also co-managed Secretary Rice’s State Department transition team with Rice’s legal counsel John Bellinger.
From December 2003 to January 2005 Wilkinson served at the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Communications.
Prior to returning to the White House, beginning in November 2002 Wilkinson served as Director of Strategic Communications for General Tommy R. Franks at U.S. Central Command. During Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Wilkinson served as General Franks’ principal spokesman and directed the U.S. military’s public affairs activities in the region.
From January 2001 through November 2002 – Wilkinson served at the White House as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Communications for Planning. Prior to joining the White House, Wilkinson served as Director of Communications at the National Republican Congressional Committee, overseeing political communications for the U.S. House of Representatives. From 1992 to 2000, Wilkinson worked in Congress for U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey, serving in several positions, including Legislative Assistant, Political Director, Director of Member Relations, Deputy Floor Assistant and Press Secretary.
Wilkinson began his undergraduate work at Weatherford College in Weatherford, Texas, and later attended Tarrant County Junior College in Fort Worth, Texas. He received his undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Texas at Arlington, and later received his Master’s degree in government from The Johns Hopkins University. Wilkinson serves as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves and also serves as a professor at The Johns Hopkins University School of Government.
