Edward G. Rendell is a renowned public servant with a career spanning 34 years, encompassing 24 years of elected office. Throughout his tenure, he has remained committed to fostering a cleaner, more efficient America, and has been a driving force behind the nation's infrastructure development.
Rendell's dedication to progress in the realm of alternative energy has led him to become a champion for green and renewable energy initiatives. He currently serves as a consultant or board member for several prominent companies, including Own Energy, Element Partners, and Ocean Thermal Energy.
In addition to his work in alternative energy, Rendell has remained actively involved in the campaign for government efficiency and strategic cost-cutting. He has worked with various entities, such as Government Sourcing Solutions, Public Financial Management, and Greenhill Advisors, to achieve this goal.
One of Rendell's most pressing concerns is the dire need for the United States to rebuild and reinvest in its infrastructure. As Governor of Pennsylvania, he worked alongside Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to establish the organization "Building America's Future", which focuses on the need for increased investment in American infrastructure projects to maintain the country's position as a global economic power.
Rendell currently serves as Co-Chair of this organization and travels the country speaking about the importance of infrastructure development.
As Governor of Pennsylvania, Rendell served two terms from 2003 to 2011, overseeing a budget of $28.3 billion as the chief executive of the state. During his tenure, he made significant strides in making government more responsible and responsive to the public's needs, successfully cutting wasteful spending and improving efficiency, resulting in savings of over $1 billion.
Rendell's legislative agenda focused on commonsense political reform and putting progress ahead of partisanship. Through his strategic investments, he energized Pennsylvania's economy, revitalized communities, improved education, protected the environment, expanded access to healthcare for all children, and made affordable prescription drugs available to older Pennsylvanians.
Before becoming Governor, Rendell served as Mayor of Philadelphia from 1992 to 2000, where he eliminated a crippling deficit, balanced the city's budget, and generated five consecutive budget surpluses. Philadelphia's renaissance, which The New York Times described as "the most stunning turnaround in recent urban history", is largely attributed to his determination, inspiration, and energy.
Prior to his tenure as Mayor, Rendell was elected District Attorney of Philadelphia for two terms from 1978 to 1985. He also served as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 Presidential election.
Rendell currently sits on several boards, is a Brookings Fellow, and teaches government and politics courses at the University of Pennsylvania. He recently completed his autobiography, A Nation of Wusses, which is scheduled to be released in early June.
As an Army veteran, Rendell holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Villanova Law School.
