Education and Career
Wilkinson grew up in East Texas, went to high school in the small town of Tenaha, and initially planned to be an undertaker. Wilkinson received his BBA in finance from UT Arlington in 1993 and his M.S. in government from Johns Hopkins University. He started working for Republican Congressman Dick Armey in 1992—staying until 2000—and worked as the spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Wilkinson, a Republican, began his government career under former Texas congressman Dick Armey. In 1999, during George W. Bush's campaign for President, Wilkinson helped sell the idea that Al Gore claimed to have "invented the Internet".
In 2000, Wilkinson traveled to Florida to support Republican activists during the recount. Wilkinson joined the Bush Administration and worked as "White House deputy director of communications and spokesman for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's transition team".
Wilkinson served as an officer in the United States Navy Reserves. His mentors have included former R.N.C. chairman Ed Gillespie and former G.W. Bush adviser Karen Hughes. As Karl Rove's choice, Wilkinson left the Bush Administration to work as the communications director for the 2004 Republican National Convention before returning to the White House under Rice.
Wilkinson likes to stay behind the scenes. When asked personal questions by The New York Observer Wilkinson declined answering, saying "Staff should be seen and not heard. And biographical pieces amount to nothing more than climbing out on the seat of a dunking booth and handing out baseballs all over town." Wilkinson, who has run marathons, has been described as hyperactive and media-savvy.
As of 2010, Wilkinson was working as Managing Partner of Brunswick Group LLP, a public relations firm.
Read more about this topic: Jim Wilkinson (former U.S. Government Employee)
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