Kevin Sweeney is a Piedmont, California, based business consultant, author, and former special assistant to US Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt during the Clinton administration. Sweeney is the author of Father Figures (2003), a memoir written in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks as tribute to the children who would, as a result, grow up fatherless. Sweeney has written many articles on social and environmental topics, and is an occasional contributor to Salon.com. As a business consultant, Sweeney helps corporations implement best practices in the areas of environmental protection and human rights.
Sweeney received his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was editor of the California Pelican.
Sweeney served as press secretary for Senator Gary Hart from 1983 until 1987, including Hart's 1984 presidential campaign. Sweeney was a key architect of Hart's bid for the Oval Office, helping fashion elements of the campaign strategy that enabled Hart's surprise showing in early primaries.
From 1989 to 1992, Sweeney was the director of public affairs for Patagonia, Inc., designers and makers of organic cotton clothing, sportswear, and accessories.
As an assistant to Bruce Babbitt from 1993 to 1995, Sweeney helped manage the 75,000-person Department of the Interior, and helped direct Clinton administration efforts to protect the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.
After leaving the Clinton administration, Sweeney returned to Patagonia as director of both communications and environmental strategies, until 1999, when he began his own business consultancy, with clients including Nike, Ford Motor Company and Hewlett-Packard. Sweeney has served on the White House Apparel Industry Partnership, an effort to rid the industry of sweatshops.
Since 2003, Sweeney has been a lecturer at the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College, and since 2004, a faculty lecturer on socially responsible business at the Haas School of Business at his alma mater, UC Berkeley.
Sweeney has also worked as an on-air reporter and political analyst for CBS television’s Atlanta affiliate, and has appeared as a featured guest on Nightline, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and Larry King Live. He has given speeches in Europe, Canada, at the United Nations, and across the US, and helped run several campaigns on environmental issues. He also worked for John's Deli while in high school
Famous quotes containing the words kevin and/or sweeney:
“Well, on the official record you’re my son. But on this post you’re just another trooper. You heard me tell the recruits what I need from them. Twice that I will expect from you.... You’ve chosen my way of life. I hope you have the guts enough to endure it. But put outa your mind any romantic ideas that it’s a way to glory. It’s a life of suffering and of hardship and uncompromising devotion to your oath and your duty.”
—James Kevin McGuinness, and John Ford. Lt. Col. Kirby Yorke (John Wayne)
“Now Sweeney phones from London, W. 2,
saying, Martyr, my religion is love, is you.
Be seated, my Sweeney, my invisible fan.
Surely the words will continue, for that’s
what’s left that’s true.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)