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Ira Jackson Named
New Director of Center for Business and Government at Kennedy School

CAMBRIDGE, MA -- Ira A. Jackson, former executive vice president of BankBoston Corporation, has been named director of the Center for Business and Government at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, announced Dean Joseph S. Nye, Jr. today.

"It is a pleasure to welcome Ira Jackson back to the Kennedy School where he began his illustrious career," said Nye. "Ira has been an influential leader in the business world and is strongly committed to public service. This wealth of experience gives him the vision needed to lead our Center for Business and Government."

Jackson served as executive vice president of BankBoston for twelve years where he was responsible for corporate and community affairs, including regulatory relations, advertising, marketing, media, economic analysis, philanthropy, community banking, Community Reinvestment Act adherence, global programs and strategic communications.

"I'm thrilled to return to Harvard in a challenging new role which will draw upon my careers in both the public and private sectors," said Jackson. "The Kennedy School under Joe Nye continues to be a dynamic and vital source of applied research and professional training, and I'm particularly pleased to join the team leading the effort to focus on the critically important intersection of business and government."

From 1976 until 1983, Jackson was associate dean of the Kennedy School, where he helped Dean Graham Allison and the faculty in the transformation of the institution during years of dramatic growth. He left the School in 1983 to serve as Commissioner of Revenue in the Dukakis Administration.

Before coming to the Kennedy School, Jackson served as top policy advisor to Boston Mayor Kevin White. A graduate of Harvard College, Jackson received his MPA from the Kennedy School in 1975 and completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School in 1986 (AMP 100).

Jackson is active in civic and philanthropic groups. He was a founding board member of CityYear, and former Chairman of the New England Council, Vice Chairman of the Chief Justice's Commission on The Future of the Massachusetts Judicial System, and Chairman of the Leadership Council of the award-winning Success By Six initiative of the United Way.

Jackson is currently President of The World Affairs Council of Greater Boston, Chairman of the Advisory Board of WBUR, President of the 21st Century Fund for Brookline High School, Vice Chair of Facing History and Ourselves, Vice President of The New England Holocaust Memorial, and a member of numerous boards.

Jackson replaces Roger B. Porter whose four-year tenure has contributed substantially to the agenda of the Center for Business and Government.

"Having first attracted Ira back to the Kennedy School as a Fellow of the Center for Business and Government, we are extremely pleased he is willing and eager to assume the responsibilities of its director," Porter said. "Ira's career at the Kennedy School, in business, and in government, as well as his remarkable personal qualities, provide him with a great foundation in taking on this assignment."

Since its founding in 1982, the Center has conducted policy-oriented research, organized stimulating symposia, and developed innovative curriculum on a variety of international, domestic, and institutional issues at the intersection of business and government.

"The Center was established to help meet the challenges of making democratic political institutions and market oriented economic arrangements work more efficiently," said Dean Nye. "I am grateful for all Roger has done."

Jackson will take over as director on July 1, 2000. He is now devoting much of his time to finishing his book due out next spring entitled "Capitalism With a Conscience: The Ethical Imperative for Business in the New Global Economy.