Page 52 - Leadership Lessons of the White House Fellows

CONNECTIONS: A LIFETIME OF FELLOWSHIP

boards or received consulting work either directly or indirectly due to rec-
ommendations from White House Fellow alumni I have known,” he said.
“Above all, I have made a lot of dear friends through the program and the
alumni network and forged friendships that I hope will last a lifetime.
That’s what counts the most. Among other interests, now I’m working on
a new novel. I’m hoping one day some of them will buy it and maybe even
read it. I can still dream.”

TOSSING A PEBBLE INTO THE GOVERNMENT POND
The White House Fellowship experience had a profound effect on my
career. In 1972, Frank Carlucci selected me to serve my Fellowship year
at the Office of Management and Budget. Seven years later, he asked
me to be his senior military assistant when he became Deputy Secretary
of Defense. Six years later, he asked me to be his deputy when he
became National Security Advisor. Ten months later, I replaced Frank
when he became Secretary of Defense. What I learned about govern-
ment as a White House Fellow was the key to the opportunities that
came my way. I know of no other program that provides such a learn-
ing experience.” 13
Colin Powell (WHF 72–73),
Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman,
National Security Advisor, and Secretary of State

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell (WHF 72–73) has called the day
he received orders from Infantry Branch to apply for a White House
Fellowship “the turning point” in his life. He had never heard of the pro-
gram and was absolutely not interested in applying. “The major made clear
that Infantry Branch was not asking me. It was ordering me,” Powell
14
wrote. Therefore, he applied and was selected. Although the story of
Powell’s ascension from army officer, to White House Fellow, to general,
to national security advisor, to secretary of state is well documented, per-
haps what is not clear is the ripple effect Powell’s Fellowship had on the
lives of other Fellows. Take Mitchell Reiss (WHF 88–89). Powell chose

13 White House Fellowship brochure, 1994–1995, p. 4.
14 Colin L. Powell with Joseph E. Persico, My American Journey (New York: Random
House), p. 161.

37