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Eric Greitens

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Eric Greitens
56th Governor of Missouri
Assumed office
January 9, 2017
LieutenantMike Parson
Preceded byJay Nixon
Personal details
Born
Eric Robert Greitens

(1974-04-10) April 10, 1974 (age 50)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Political partyRepublican (2007–present)
Other political
affiliations		Democratic (Before 2007)
SpouseSheena Chestnut (2011–present)
Children2
ResidenceGovernor's Mansion
EducationDuke University (BA)
Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford (MA, PhD)
WebsiteGovernment website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service2001–2017
Rank Lieutenant Commander
CommandsJoint Special Operations Task Unit
Mark V Special Operations Craft Detachment
Al Qaeda Targeting Cell
Awards Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Navy Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Combat Action Ribbon
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

Eric Robert Greitens (born April 10, 1974) is an American politician, author, and former Navy SEAL currently serving as the 56th Governor of Missouri, since January 2017.[1] At age 42, he is the second youngest incumbent Governor in the United States, after New Hampshire's Chris Sununu.

Born and raised in St. Louis, Greitens graduated from Parkway North High School before attending Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. After attending Oxford as a Rhodes scholar, Greitens later became a Navy SEAL, serving four tours of duty around the world and commanding an Al-Qaeda targeting cell. Following his military service, Greitens founded The Mission Continues, a non-profit organization serving veterans which he led until 2014.[2] His work led Time Magazine to recognize him on their list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2013.[3]

Previously identifying with the Democratic Party,[4] he announced his candidacy for governor as a Republican, campaigning on a platform centered around ethics reform. After defeating three other candidates in the Republican primaries, he faced state Attorney General and former Republican Chris Koster who he defeated in the general election on November 8, 2016.

Early life

Greitens was born on April 10, 1974 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Becky and Rob Greitens. He was raised in a Jewish household.[5]

Greitens attended Parkway North High School[6] and was named a member of the 1995 USA Today All-USA Academic Team. Greitens was an Angier B. Duke Scholar[7] at Duke University where he studied ethics, philosophy, and public policy. After graduating in 1996, he was selected as a Rhodes[8][9] and Truman Scholar.[10] Greitens attended Lady Margaret Hall, a constituent college of the University of Oxford, where he earned a D.Phil. in development studies in 2000.[11] Some of his photographs appear in the publication Children in War: Community Strategies for Healing.[12]

Greitens is a former Senior Fellow at the Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri.[13] In the past, Greitens has taught classes at both the University of Missouri in Columbia and at Washington University in St. Louis.

Career

Armed services

Greitens attended Naval Officer Candidate School in January 2001,[14][15] after graduating from Oxford. He began Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S)[16][17] and graduated with Class 237 in Coronado, California, in February 2002.[18] Greitens was a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy Reserve, and he was deployed four times to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and Southeast Asia. He served as the commander of a joint special operations task unit, commander of a Mark V Special Operations Craft detachment,[19] and as commander of an al Qaeda targeting cell.[20] Some of his personal military awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

White House Fellowship

In 2005, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a White House Fellow.[21] As a White House Fellow, Greitens worked in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)[22] and developed a new program to assist with the rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina. The program, called the Universities Rebuilding America Partnership (URAP),[23] was a $5.6 million effort to engage architecture and engineering students in the continued effort to rebuild New Orleans. During his time as a White House Fellow, he also co-founded the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll Program.[24]

The Mission Continues

After returning from Iraq, Greitens used his combat pay and the disability pay of two friends to start The Mission Continues. The mission of the organization is to "challenge veterans to serve and lead in communities across America."[25] It encourages veterans to heal themselves through public service by engaging in volunteer organizations across the country.[26][27] In 2014 the organization won the CLASSY Award, recognizing its effectiveness in active-duty and veteran services.[28] Greitens stepped down as CEO in July 2014. He resigned the board of directors in 2015.[29][30][31][32][33]

As CEO of The Mission Continues, Greitens worked without a salary from 2007 to 2008. Later, Greitens received compensation of between $150,000 and $200,000,.[34] While Daniel Borochoff, president and founder of CharityWatch (which evaluates nonprofit organizations) remarked that Greitens' wages "seem within a reasonable range," the AP noted that his salary was about one-third higher than the $131,000 median compensation for chief executives of 237 medium-sized charities in the Midwest. [35]

Author

Strength and Compassion is a collection of photographs and essays by Greitens. Published in 2008,[36] it is Greitens' first book, with a foreword by Rwandan humanitarian Paul Rusesabagina and an introduction by Bobby Muller, co-founder of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.[37]

Greitens' second book, The Heart and the Fist: The Education of a Humanitarian, the Making of a Navy SEAL, was published on April 11, 2011, by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.[38][39] The Heart and the Fist is Greitens' memoir of service, featuring stories of his humanitarian work, his training as a naval officer and SEAL and the military experiences that led him to adopt the paradoxical philosophy that you have to be strong to do good, but you also have to do good to be strong. The book was ranked 10th on the New York Times bestseller list for hard-cover nonfiction in May 2011[40][41] and debuted on The St. Louis Independent Bookstore Alliance Best Sellers list at No. 1 for the week of April 17, 2011.[42] The following year, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also released a young adult edition of The Heart and the Fist titled The Warrior's Heart.[43]

In March 2015, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt released Greitens' book Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life. It draws on letters Greitens wrote to a fellow SEAL struggling with PTSD.[44][45]

As an author and former SEAL, Greitens is represented by the speakers’ bureau Leading Authorities. In 2016, an anonymous attack group charged in a YouTube video that he exaggerated his record and was unduly benefiting from his time in the SEALs; Greitens later debunked the claims in a video he uploaded to his channel. The dispute revealed a widening rift among Navy SEALs, provoked by what leaders and many in the ranks described as rampant commercial and personal exploitation of a brotherhood that once prized discretion.[46]

Governor of Missouri

2016 election

Main article: Missouri gubernatorial election, 2016
Gubernatorial election campaign logo

On September 26, 2015, Greitens officially announced his candidacy for Governor of Missouri[47] as a Republican.[48]

Greitens won the August 2 Republican primary with 236,250 votes (34.6%), defeating businessman John Brunner's 169,425 (24.8%), Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder's 141,498 (20.7%), and former Speaker Catherine Hanaway's 136,350 (19.9%).[49] Greitens faced Democrat Chris Koster in the general election on November 8, 2016 and won with 51.3% of the vote to Koster's 45.4%.

Tenure

Greitens meeting with Vice President Mike Pence in January 2017

Greitens assumed office as Governor on January 9, 2017. His first two executive orders banned employees in the executive branch from accepting gifts from lobbyists and froze all new regulations through February 2017. Greitens expressed interest in working with the Missouri legislature to pass Right to Work legislation, which would allow Missouri workers to hold unionized jobs without having to pay any of the cost of union representation. He also remained opposed to accepting the federal Medicaid expansion in Missouri.[50]

On February 6, 2017, Greitens signed a bill into law making Missouri the 28th right-to-work state.[51] In response, unions, who opposed the law, filed a referendum to overturn the law for 2018.[52]

Personal life

Eric and Sheena Greitens dancing at the inaugural ball

Greitens married Sheena Elise Chestnut on August 7, 2011 in Spokane, Washington.[5] They had lived in St. Louis, Missouri, with their two sons.[53][54] Greitens' first marriage ended in divorce.[5]

Honors and awards

On October 3, 2008, President George W. Bush personally awarded Greitens the President's Volunteer Service Award outside Air Force One at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, Missouri, for his work at The Mission Continues.[55]

Greitens was honored with the HOOAH Award, commissioned by the Major George A. Smith Memorial Fund in 2009.[56] Greitens was named the 2010 Reader of the Year by Outside magazine.[57]

In June 2010, Major League Baseball and People Magazine announced Greitens as a winner in People Magazine's All-Stars Among Us competition. He was selected to represent the city of St. Louis and the Cardinals at the 2010 All-Star Game in Anaheim, California.[58][59]

On May 20, 2012, Greitens was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Tufts University when he gave the commencement speech at the school's 156th commencement.[60] That same year, Greitens received the Bronfman Prize, which recognizes dynamic leaders whose innovation and impact serve as inspiration for the next generations.[61]

In 2014, Fortune Magazine featured Greitens as one of the World's 50 Greatest Leaders.[62] On April 18, 2013, Time magazine named Greitens to its 2013 one hundred Most Influential People in the World.[63]

Greitens has appeared on NBC Nightly News,[64] the Today Show,[65] the Colbert Report,[66] and The Daily Show.[67]

Publications

  • Greitens, Eric (2008). Strength & Compassion: Photographs and Essays. Leading Authorities Press. ISBN 978-0971007802.
  • Greitens, Eric (2011). The Heart and the Fist: The Education of a Humanitarian, the Making of a Navy SEAL. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0547424859.
  • Greitens, Eric (2012). The Warrior's Heart: Becoming a Man of Compassion and Courage. HMH Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0547868523.
  • Greitens, Eric (2015). Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0544323988.

References

  1. ^ "Politically Speaking: Eric Greitens on his latest mission to become Missouri's next governor". St. Louis Public Radio.
  2. ^ "Can This Jewish Republican Outsider Change the Face of Missouri?".
  3. ^ Mullen, Mike. "The 2013 TIME 100" – via time100.time.com.
  4. ^ Greitens, Eric (13 July 2015). "Former Navy SEAL: Why I am no longer a Democrat".
  5. ^ a b c Sheena Chestnut, Eric Greitens, The New York Times, August 5, 2011
  6. ^ "Home of the Parkway Alumni Association". parkwayalumni.org.
  7. ^ "abduke.org".
  8. ^ 32 Are Named Rhodes Scholars AP National Desk , Dec 11, 1995
  9. ^ "Oh, Four Oh Four". dukechronicle.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)http://wayback.archive.org/web/20150929195158/http://www.dukechronicle.com/node/107778
  10. ^ Meet Our Scholars, 1995 Truman Scholars Archived September 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine http://wayback.archive.org/web/20150930060152/http://www.truman.gov/meet-our-scholars?Year=1995
  11. ^ "Annual reports" (PDF).
  12. ^ Children in War: Community Strategies for Healing (PDF).
  13. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 24, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. ^ Greitens, Eric (2011). The Heart and the Fist. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-547-42485-9.
  15. ^ Asfar, Roy (2011-04-01). "Eric Greitens | Veterans Advantage - Military Discounts, Veteran Discounts, Benefits". Veterans Advantage. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  16. ^ Greitens, Eric (2011). The Heart and the Fist. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. pp. 143–145. ISBN 978-0-547-42485-9.
  17. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. ^ Greitens, Eric (2011). The Heart and the Fist. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. p. 201. ISBN 978-0-547-42485-9.
  19. ^ Greitens, Eric (2011). The Heart and the Fist. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. p. 235. ISBN 978-0-547-42485-9.
  20. ^ Greitens, Eric (2011). The Heart and the Fist. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. p. 271. ISBN 978-0-547-42485-9.
  21. ^ "White House Fellows: Class of 2005-2006" Online Article. The White House. 16 Jul 2008 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/fellows/alumni/2005-06.html>.
  22. ^ Hinman, Kristen. "Captain America." Riverfront Times 09 APR 2008 10. 15 APR 2008 <http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2008-04-09/news/navy-seal-eric-greitens-has-come-home-to-st-louis-to-help-fellow-iraq-vets/>
  23. ^ "Volume 3 Number 5: Universities Rebuilding America." PD&R Periodicals: Research Works. 01 MAY 2006. PD&R Periodicals. 27 Apr 2008 <"Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 2, 2008. Retrieved April 27, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) http://wayback.archive.org/web/20150927212811/http://www.huduser.org/periodicals/ResearchWorks/may_06/RW_vol3num5t1.html>.
  24. ^ [1] The Truman School of Public Affairs. February 20, 2015.
  25. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 28, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. ^ Klein, Joe Clay Hunt’s Legacy for Veterans TIME. February 16, 2015
  27. ^ Shane III, Leo Study: Volunteer work could help vets' careers Military Times. February 16, 2015
  28. ^ The Mission Continues Drives Progress for Active Duty & Veteran Services Classyawards.org. February 16, 2015
  29. ^ "Our Board - Mission Continues".
  30. ^ "New Profit Inc. :: The Mission Continues".
  31. ^ Draper Richards Fellow: Eric Greitens http://wayback.archive.org/web/20150928144450/http://www.draperrichards.org/fellows/mission.html
  32. ^ Mission Continues Chief Executive Officer: Eric Greitens Archived May 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine http://wayback.archive.org/web/20150928194351/https://www.missioncontinues.org/About/OurTeam/details/11
  33. ^ Brennan, Vince The Mission Continues’ Greitens steps down St. Louis Business Journal. February 20, 2015
  34. ^ ProPublica, Mike Tigas, Sisi Wei,. "Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  35. ^ Missouri governor candidate's salary from charity questioned Associated Press. September 12, 2016
  36. ^ Strength and Compassion: Photographs and Essays by Eric Greitens. Sep 23, 2008. ISBN 0971007802.
  37. ^ "http://www.creativewell.com/pdf/muller.pdf" (PDF). {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  38. ^ "Book Detail Page - HMH Books". houghtonmifflinbooks.com.
  39. ^ "Spring 2011 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Adult Frontlist Catalog".
  40. ^ Schuessler, Jennifer (May 13, 2011). "Inside the List". The New York Times.
  41. ^ Schuessler, Jennifer. "Print & E-Books". The New York Times.
  42. ^ "St. Louis Independent Bookstore Alliance". http://www.stlindiebook.com/node/41
  43. ^ Powers, Kevin Acts of Valor "New York Times". February 18, 2015
  44. ^ Nelson, Marcia Spring 2015 Announcements: Lifestyle: Death and Dieting Publishers Weekly. February 16, 2015
  45. ^ Naughton, Julie Rising After a Fall: PW Talks with Eric Greitens Publishers Weekly. February 16, 2015
  46. ^ "Rift Among Navy SEALs Over Members Who Cash In on Brand". The New York Times. 3 April 2016.
  47. ^ "Former Navy SEAL Greitens running as Republican for Missouri governor". kansascity.
  48. ^ Jo Mannies. "Greitens casts himself as a renegade as he joins GOP crowd running for governor". stlpublicradio.org.
  49. ^ "Missouri Governor Races Results".
  50. ^ McDermott, Kevin. "Governor-elect Greitens likely to make Missouri a right-to-work state".
  51. ^ Shaw, Adam (February 6, 2017). "'Right-to-Work' Movement Claims Victory in Missouri, Eyes NH Next". Fox News. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  52. ^ Hancock, Jason (February 6, 2017). "Gov. Eric Greitens Signs Missouri Right-to-Work Bill, But Unions File Referendum to Overturn It". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved February 10, 2017. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  53. ^ 2014 Convocation Lecture February 16, 2015
  54. ^ Hollerman, Joe STL's Eric Greitens steps down as veterans group chief St. Louis Post-Dispatch. February 16, 2015
  55. ^ "President Bush Honoring Local Veteran with Award" KSDK News Channel 5. 3 Oct 2007.<http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=156651&catid=3>.
  56. ^ "Presentation of the HOOAH Award to Lt. Eric Greitens". NCoC. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  57. ^ Nyberg, Justin (2009-12-03). "Adventure Altruism All-Stars | Politics". OutsideOnline.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2011. Retrieved 2014-04-28. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)http://www.outsideonline.com/1874971/adventure-altruism-all-stars
  58. ^ "MLB, PEOPLE Magazine & Cardinals announce three finalists for "People All-Stars Among Us" national campaign." St. Louis Cardinals. 1 June 2010. <http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100601&content_id=10674702&vkey=pr_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl>
  59. ^ "People All-Stars Among Us." MLB. 20 June 2010. <http://mlb.mlb.com/peopleallstarsamongus/>
  60. ^ "A Meaningful Adventure." Tufts NOW. 20 May 2012. <http://now.tufts.edu/articles/meaningful-adventure>
  61. ^ 2012 | Eric Greitens The Bronfman Prize. February 16, 2015
  62. ^ Colvin, Geoff (2014-03-20). "Eric Greitens - Fortune ranks the World's 50 Greatest Leaders - FORTUNE". Money.cnn.com. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  63. ^ Mullen, Mike The 2013 TIME 100 TIME. February 18, 2015
  64. ^ Brian Williams (2013-11-21). "NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams - NBC News". MSNBC. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  65. ^ "TODAY Video Player - popup". Today.msnbc.msn.com. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  66. ^ "May 11, 2011 - Eric Greitens - The Colbert Report - Episode Details | Comedy Central". Colbertnation.com. 2011-05-11. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  67. ^ "Eric Greitens-The Daily Show with Jon Stewart - Video Clip | Comedy Central". Cc.com. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of Missouri
2016 		Most recent
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Missouri
2017–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Vice President Order of Precedence of the United States
Within Missouri 		Succeeded by
Mayor of city
in which event is held
Succeeded by
Preceded byas Governor of Maine Order of Precedence of the United States
Outside Missouri 		Succeeded byas Governor of Arkansas
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eric_Greitens&oldid=765338053"