Jeffrey Zients, who grew up in Kensington and was an early investor at a Bethesda deli, was named Chief of Staff to President Joe Biden Thursday.
He previously headed the White House Coronavirus Response team from January 2021 to April 2022. As coordinator, Zients was the point person for the different agencies as well as state and local governments on vaccine distribution.
He also served in the President Barack Obama Administration as director of the National Economic Council and assistant to the president for economic policy.
“I’ve seen Jeff tackle some of the toughest issues in our government,” Biden said. He helped fix healthcare.gov, which Biden called a daunting job.
During the announcement in the White House, Zients said, “It’s a huge honor to be back.” He vowed to work as one team for a “a responsive, goal-oriented government that helps make people’s lives better.”
He added, “Governing is never easy, but when you have the right team, you can accomplish anything.”
As Biden’s chief of staff, Zients replaces Ron Klain, who Biden described as a “man who would jump in front of a bus for me.” Biden praised his integrity and leadership.
Zients, who is married and has four children, helped start the deli Call Your Mother, which includes the Bethesda Trolley, but he is no longer involved. The chain also has locations in Washington.
The trolley is located on Old Georgetown Road, and Call Your Mother is in Pike and Rose on Grand Park Avenue. It also operates a cart Saturdays at the Silver Spring Farmers Market.
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