Kevin Sullivan

Senior Advisor
George W. Bush Presidential Center

As Senior Advisor, Kevin Sullivan provides guidance and counsel on the Bush Center’s development and communications efforts, with special focus on the production of Engage at the Bush Center, presented by NexPoint public programs; thought leadership development and training programs for Bush Institute policy directors; communications training for participants in the Bush Institute’s leadership development programs; and outreach to Bush-Cheney alumni.  Mr. Sullivan is also a member of the editorial team of The Catalyst, the Bush Center’s digital journal of ideas.

Mr. Sullivan was appointed by President George W. Bush as Assistant to the President for Communications in July 2006, where he oversaw message development and communications planning.  His responsibilities also included oversight of the White House web site; the rapid response operation; outreach to regional and specialty media; and the production of Presidential events.  Prior to working in the White House, Mr. Sullivan served as the Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach at the U.S. Department of Education. Before his move to Washington, Mr. Sullivan held senior leadership roles with NBC Universal, NBC Sports and the Dallas Mavericks.

Mr. Sullivan also consults with outside clients and provides media training and presentation coaching as part of the strategic communications practice he established after leaving the White House in 2009.

He holds a bachelor of science in management from Purdue University and a master of arts in mass communication from Iona College in New York.

Sullivan is the author of Breaking Through: Communications Lessons From the Locker Room, the Board Room and the Oval Office, an eBook published in June 2015. He and his wife, Jo Anne, have five children.

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Read the article Five Questions with Ed Gillespie.

Five Questions with Ed Gillespie

By: Kevin Sullivan
In this month’s edition, Ed Gillespie relays a wonderful story about President Bush and President George H.W. Bush; discusses the meaning of the upcoming Bush-Cheney Alumni reunion; and describes his shift in 2020 to corporate life as Senior Executive Vice President – External and Legislative Affairs at AT&T after spending most of his career in politics and consulting.
Read the article Five Questions with Secretary James Baker.
Apr 28, 2022

Five Questions with Secretary James Baker

By: Kevin Sullivan
At the annual Bush Center Forum on Leadership last week, Sec. James Baker was presented with the George W. Bush Medal for Distinguished Leadership. Following the presentation of the medal, Bush Institute Executive Director Holly Kuzmich sat down with Sec. Baker. For this month’s “Five Questions With…” feature, we’re honored to offer excerpts of their conversation, slightly edited for brevity and clarity.
Read the article Five Questions with John Smith.
Mar 30, 2022

Five Questions with John Smith

By: Kevin Sullivan
John Smith has dedicated his life to strengthening American institutions that advance freedom, the rule of law, and human flourishing – at home and abroad. This month, we are pleased to offer Smith’s take on what’s happening in Ukraine.
Read the article Five Questions with Former Presidential Advance Directors: Kelly Gannon Russell, Greg Jenkins & Brian Montgomery.
Jan 27, 2022

Five Questions with Former Presidential Advance Directors: Kelly Gannon Russell, Greg Jenkins & Brian Montgomery

By: Kevin Sullivan
This month, “Five Questions With…” features excerpts from the highly entertaining January 18 BCA Regional Chapters Zoom Social with former Presidential Advance Directors Brian Montgomery, Kelley Gannon Russell and Greg Jenkins.
Read the article Five Questions with Amy Zantzinger.
Dec 16, 2021

Five Questions with Amy Zantzinger

By: Kevin Sullivan
Amy Zantzinger joins us for “Five Questions With…” this month to reflect on her two years as White House Social Secretary, pass along a few pro tips for holiday decorating and entertaining (hint: plan ahead) and share a memorable story about the Dalai Lama and a U.S. Marine.
Read the article Five Questions with Secretary Steve Preston.
Nov 17, 2021

Five Questions with Secretary Steve Preston

By: Kevin Sullivan
Sec. Steve Preston, who so capably led SBA post-Katrina and HUD during the financial crisis, has been CEO of Goodwill Industries International since January 2019. He joins us this month to offer his take on the rapidly changing workforce needs in our country and how to bridge the widening gap between good jobs and people who need those jobs. He also offers leadership lessons from times of crisis and remembers a favorite moment with President Bush.