Max Friedersdorf
Max Friedersdorf | |
|---|---|
 3/30/1981 Friedersdorf meets with Caspar Weinberger Don Regan Fred F. Fielding Helene Von Damm Drew Lewis Alexander Haig David Gergen Larry Speakes and Richard Darman in the Situation Room to discuss the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan | |
| White House Director of Legislative Affairs | |
| In office December 31, 1974 – January 20, 1977 | |
| President | Ronald Reagan Gerald Ford |
| Preceded by | William Timmons |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Max Lee Friedersdorf July 7, 1929 Grammer, Indiana |
| Died | May 31, 2020 Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Franklin College (BA) American University (MA) |
Max Lee Friedersdorf (July 7, 1929 – May 31, 2020) was an American federal administrative bureaucrat, reporter, diplomatic ambassador and corporate president serving as deputy assistant, secretary in the Presidential administrations of Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter.
Early life, education and journalism career[edit]
Friedersdorf was a graduate of Franklin College with a degree in journalism. He became a city editor at the Franklin Evening Star, and later a reporter for the Louisville Times, the Chicago Daily News and the Indianapolis News, often covering politics.[1]
Political career[edit]
From 1961 to 1970 Friedersdorf served as administrative assistant and press secretary to Congressman Richard L. Roudebush. In 1970, he was the Office of Economic Opportunity Director of Congressional Relations. From 1971 to 1974, Friedersdorf served as Deputy Assistant for Congressional Affairs in the Nixon administration. After Nixon's resignation, Friedersdorf continued as Deputy Assistant to President Ford until 1975, eventually became the President's Assistant for Legislative Affairs. Friedersdorf served as Staff Director of the Senate Republican Policy Committee from January 1977 until his appointment as Chair of the Federal Election Commission in February 1979. He left the Commission on December 16, 1980, to accept the position of Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs to President-elect Reagan.[2] as well as serving as Ambassador to Switzerland and Bermuda.[3][4]
Corporate service[edit]
In 1983, Friedersdorf became vice president of public affairs at Pepsico Inc.[5]
Personal life and death[edit]
Friedersdorf married Priscilla Marion Jones and they had two children. Friedersdorf died on May 31, 2020, of respiratory failure.[6]
References[edit]
- ^ "FCHS Alumni Hall of Fame: Mr. Max Friedersdorf". Franklin Community Schools. 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "Max L. Friedersdorf". Federal Election Commission. 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "Max Friedersdorf". Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ Bell, Jonathan (June 24, 2020). "Max Friedersdorf (1929-2020)". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Aide Gets Pepsico Post". The New York Times. September 13, 1983. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ "Max L. Friedersdorf 1929 - 2020". Legacy. June 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
External links[edit]
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Friedersdorf Oral History at Gerald Ford Presidential Foundation
- Max L. Friedersdorf Papers at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
- Friedersdorf Oral History at the University of Virginia Miller Center of Public Affairs