'''Patrick Gaspard''' (born 1967) is the Director of the Office of Political Affairs for the [[Obama administration]].<ref name=elliott>{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A05E4D7143EF93BA25752C0A96F9C8B63|title='Obama's People': A Who's Who|last=Elliott|first=Stuart|date=January 18, 2009|work=[[The New York Times Magazine]]|accessdate=June 29, 2010}}</ref> Gaspard's prior position was on the advisory board for President [[Barack Obama]]'s [[Presidential transition of Barack Obama|transition team]].<ref name=usnews>{{cite news|url=http://politics.usnews.com/news/campaign-2008/articles/2008/11/05/obama-names-transition-team.html|title=Obama Names Transition Team|date=November 5, 2008|work=[[U.S. News & World Report]]|accessdate=June 29, 2010}}</ref> During the [[Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008|presidential campaign]], Gaspard was Obama's National Political Director.
'''Patrick Gaspard''' is the Director of the Office of Political Affairs for the [[Obama administration]]. Gaspard's prior position was on the advisory board for President [[Barack Obama]]'s [[Presidential transition of Barack Obama|transition team]]<ref name="usnews">{{cite web|url=http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/11/05/obama-names-transition-team.html|title=Obama Names Transition Team | accessdate=2008-11-06}}</ref>. During the presidential campaign, Gaspard was Obama's National Political Director.
Prior to working on Obama's campaign team, Gaspard worked nine years as the executive vice president for politics and legislation for the [[1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East]] [[labor union]], the largest local union in America.<ref name=sherman>{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/39110.html|title=White House aide failed to disclose $40K payout|last=Sherman|first=Jake|date=June 28, 2010|work=[[Politico (newspaper)|Politico]]|accessdate=June 29, 2010}}</ref><ref name=jared>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/06/28/2008-06-28_haitian_american_labor_leader_patrick_ga.html|title=Haitian American labor leader Patrick Gaspard in key job with Barack Obama|last=McCallister|first=Jared|date=June 27, 2008|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|accessdate=June 29, 2010}}</ref> He helped coordinate political activity and government relations on behalf of 300,000 members. In 2006, Gaspard served as the acting political director for [[Service Employees International Union|SEIU International]] during the national union’s successful effort to help [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] capture majorities in the [[United States House of Representatives|House]] and [[United States Senate|Senate]]. In 2004, Gaspard was the National Field Director for [[America Coming Together]]. Gaspard worked for Governor [[Howard Dean]]’s presidential campaign, the 1988 [[Jesse Jackson]] presidential bid and numerous congressional candidates and campaigns. In 1989, he worked on the successful and historic [[David Dinkins]] mayoral campaign.<ref name=mcleod>{{cite news|title=Rising Stars: 35 under 40; The next generation of political leaders in New York|last=McLeod|first=Courtney|date=September 2006|work=City Hall News|accessdate=June 29, 2010}}</ref> Gaspard is a former [[Community organizing|community organizer]] around school reform issues.
Prior to working on Obama's campaign team, Gaspard was the executive vice president for politics and legislation for the 300,000 member [[1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East]] [[labor union]],<ref name="nydailynews">{{cite web| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/06/28/2008-06-28_haitian_american_labor_leader_patrick_ga.html|title=Haitian American labor leader Patrick Gaspard in key job with Barack Obama | accessdate=2008-11-07}}</ref> the largest local union in America. He helped coordinate political activity and government relations on behalf of 300,000 members. In 2006, Gaspard served as the acting political director for SEIU International during the national union’s successful effort to help Democrats capture majorities in the House and Senate. In 2004, Gaspard was the National Field Director for America Coming Together. Gaspard worked for Governor [[Howard Dean]]’s presidential campaign, the 1988 [[Jesse Jackson]] presidential bid and numerous congressional candidates and campaigns. In 1989, he worked on the successful and historic [[David Dinkins]] mayoral campaign.<ref name="NAME">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityhallnews.com/091906/cover1_091906.html#gaspard | title=Rising Stars: 35 under 40 | accessdate=2008-11-07}}</ref>. Gaspard is a former community organizer around school reform issues.
== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Haitian parents, Gaspard moved with his parents to the United States when he was three years old. He is married and has two children. <ref> NYTimes[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A05E4D7143EF93BA25752C0A96F9C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=5]</ref>
Born in the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]] to [[Haiti|Haitian]] parents, Gaspard moved with his parents to the United States when he was three years old.<ref name=elliott/> He is married and has two children.
Prior to working on Obama's campaign team, Gaspard worked nine years as the executive vice president for politics and legislation for the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers Eastlabor union, the largest local union in America.[3][4] He helped coordinate political activity and government relations on behalf of 300,000 members. In 2006, Gaspard served as the acting political director for SEIU International during the national union’s successful effort to help Democrats capture majorities in the House and Senate. In 2004, Gaspard was the National Field Director for America Coming Together. Gaspard worked for Governor Howard Dean’s presidential campaign, the 1988 Jesse Jackson presidential bid and numerous congressional candidates and campaigns. In 1989, he worked on the successful and historic David Dinkins mayoral campaign.[5] Gaspard is a former community organizer around school reform issues.
Personal life
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Haitian parents, Gaspard moved with his parents to the United States when he was three years old.[1] He is married and has two children.
^McLeod, Courtney (September 2006). "Rising Stars: 35 under 40; The next generation of political leaders in New York". City Hall News. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)