The Hon. David M. Walker

As President and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, Dave leads the Foundation’s efforts to promote federal financial responsibility.  In doing so, the Foundation works to ensure more transparency and accountability today in order to promote more opportunity tomorrow.

As Comptroller General of the United States and head of the Government Accounting Office (GAO) from 1998-2008, spanning both Democratic and Republican Administrations, Dave served as the federal government’s chief auditor.  Appointed by President Bill Clinton and unanimously by the U.S. Senate, he was an outspoken, nonpartisan advocate for addressing the major fiscal and other sustainability challenges facing the country.  He also enacted transformational reforms at the GAO and within the accountability profession.

Prior to his appointment as Comptroller General, Dave served as a partner and global managing director of Arthur Anderson LLP and in several government leadership positions, including as a Public Trustee for Social Security and Medicare from 1990 to 1995 and as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Pension and Welfare Benefit Programs during the Regan Administration.

In addition to his leadership responsibilities at the Foundation, Dave continues to serve as chairman of the United Nations Independent Audit Advisory Committee, on several boards and in several advisory capacities, including the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Partnership for Public Service, the American Society of Public Administrators and Toffler Associates.  He is also a member of the Trilateral Commission.

Dave has authored two books with a third book, entitled Comeback America, due out in January, 2010.  He is a regular commentator and contributor and is a subject of the critically acclaimed documentary, I.O.U.S.A.

Dave holds a B.S. in accounting from Jacksonville University, a Senior Management in Government Certificate in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and several honorary doctorate degrees.  He has won numerous leadership, professional, public serve and other awards during his career.  He and his wife, Mary, live in Alexandria, VA, and have two children and three grandchildren.