Alumni and Friends Directory

Robert Bennett

Robert Bennett

Title: Former Senator

Company: US Government

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

Educational Background

BS, Political Science, University of Utah


Huntsman School Interactions:

MSHR Executive Program Guest Speaker - February 6, 2010

Biography

Serving his third term as a U.S. Senator, Robert F. Bennett has earned the respect of his colleagues and the reputation as a lawmaker who offers creative and common-sense solutions to issues important to both Utahns and the nation. As a member of the Republican leadership team, Bennett serves as counsel to Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, advising him on legislative strategy and policy priorities.

Bennett got his start in politics by managing his father's U.S. Senate reelection campaign in 1962. Wallace F. Bennett was a U.S. Senator from 1951 to 1974. It was this experience that would later inspire Bennett to seek public office.

Bennett used his strong leadership skills and lessons learned from working as a staffer on Capitol Hill to become a successful entrepreneur. His most notable business success was his position as CEO of Franklin International Institute, now known as Franklin Covey. Under Bennett's leadership, the business grew from just four employees to more than 1,000 and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

In 1992, Bennett followed in his father's footsteps and ran a successful campaign for the U.S. Senate. Bennett has carried his businessman-like approach with him to Capitol Hill. He now serves as a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee and a member of the distinguished Joint Economic Committee, where he is at the center of national economic policy discussions. He also serves as the ranking Republican on the Senate Rules Committee.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Bennett works to balance fiscal discipline in government while representing the needs of Utah in the distribution of federal funds. Bennett also represents the interests of the West as the ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water and a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Bennett is also at the forefront of healthcare reform. He is a co-sponsor of the Healthy Americans Act, the first major bipartisan healthcare legislation in more than a decade. Bennett's Healthy Americans Act guarantees quality, affordable, portable health coverage for every American, cutting health costs by more than $1.2 trillion over the next decade.

In the 111th Congress, Senator Bennett is focused on getting the economy back on track and cutting down the nation's debt by reforming social security and health care.

Senator Bennett is a graduate of the University of Utah, where he served as the student body president. He and his wife, Joyce are the proud parents of six children and 20 grandchildren.