David L. Cohen

For other people with the same name, see David Cohen.

David L. Cohen
United States Ambassador to Canada
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 7, 2021
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byArnold A. Chacón (acting)
Kelly Craft
Personal details
Born1955 (age 68–69)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Children2
EducationSwarthmore College (BA)
University of Pennsylvania (JD)

David L. Cohen (born 1955) is an American businessman, attorney, lobbyist, and diplomat who is the United States ambassador to Canada.[1] He previously served as the senior advisor to the CEO of Comcast Corporation. Until January 1, 2020, he was senior executive vice president and chief lobbyist for Comcast. He also served as chairman of the board of trustees for the University of Pennsylvania and was chief of staff to former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell.[2][3]

Early life and education

Born to a Jewish family in New York,[4] Cohen graduated from Swarthmore College, in 1977, where he triple-majored in political science, history, and economics.[5] In 1981, he graduated with a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.[6][5]

Career

Cohen addresses US embassy staff in Ottawa in 2021

Cohen served as chief of staff to Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, from January 1992 to April 1997.[6] According to a 2021 article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, during his time as chief of staff, Cohen was "famous for reining in unions representing city workers during Philadelphia's bankruptcy in 1992".[7] In 1998, he served as the chief negotiator for SEPTA during a 40-day labor strike conducted by the Transport Workers Union of America.[7] He was a partner in Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll.[6] In July 2002, he became EVP of Comcast Corporation, dealing with corporate communications, government affairs, public affairs, corporate administration, and serving as senior counsel to the CEO.[6][8][9]

He was named to the PoliticsPA "Power 50" list of politically influential individuals in 2002 and 2003.[10][11] The Pennsylvania Report named him to the 2003 "The Pennsylvania Report Power 75" list of influential figures in Pennsylvania politics, noting that "No one–in or out of government–is closer to Ed Rendell than Cohen."[12] In 2009, he was included in "The Pennsylvania Report 100" list of influential figures in state politics, noting him as "one Philadelphian that all statewide Dems should know."[13] In 2010, Politics Magazine named him one of the "Top 10 Democrats" in Pennsylvania.[14] Philadelphia magazine listed him as the third-most powerful person in Philadelphia and the top "Connector", whose "influence knows no limits", in its 75 Most Influential People Right Now list in 2014.[15]

In February 2013, Cohen endorsed Republican Governor Tom Corbett's failed re-election bid.[16]

Ambassador to Canada

On July 21, 2021, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Cohen as the United States ambassador to Canada.[17][18] Hearings on his nomination were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 22, 2021. The committee favorably reported his nomination to the Senate floor on October 19, 2021. Cohen was officially confirmed by the Senate in a voice vote on November 2, 2021.[19]

Cohen was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris on December 1, 2021.[20] On December 7, 2021, he presented his credentials to Governor General Mary Simon.[21]

References

  1. ^ "Canada is about to have a U.S. ambassador again". CBC.ca. November 3, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  2. ^ "David L. Cohen, Senior Advisor, Comcast Corporation". Comcast. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  3. ^ Kang, Cecilia (October 29, 2012). "David Cohen may be Comcast's secret weapon, but in D.C. he's a wonk rock star". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  4. ^ Edelman, Lynn (February 14, 2008). "David L. Cohen: He's Someone Genetically Hardwired to Lead Federation". The Jewish Exponent. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Q&A with David L. Cohen | Penn Current". Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d "David L. Cohen". Comcast. Archived from the original on April 25, 2009. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  7. ^ a b Fitzgerald, Thomas (October 27, 2021). "SEPTA workers might strike soon. It wouldn't be the first time". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  8. ^ Salomon, Miranda (Spring 2002). "Almost Famous". Penn Law Journal. Archived from the original on July 30, 2010.
  9. ^ "David L. Cohen: Executive Profile & Biography". businessweek.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012.
  10. ^ "Sy Snyder's Power 50". PoliticsPA. The Publius Group. 2002. Archived from the original on April 21, 2002.
  11. ^ "Power 50". PoliticsPA. The Publius Group. 2003. Archived from the original on April 17, 2004.
  12. ^ "The PA Report "Power 75" List" (PDF). Pennsylvania Report. Capital Growth, Inc. January 31, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2006.
  13. ^ "PA Report 100" (PDF). Pennsylvania Report. Capital Growth, Inc. January 23, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 27, 2020.
  14. ^ Roarty, Alex; Sean Coit (January 2010). "Pennsylvania Influencers" (PDF). Politics Magazine. pp. 44–49. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 29, 2009.
  15. ^ "Influential Politicos To Host Fundraisers for Judicial Candidates" by Abby Smith, PoliticsPA, January 23, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  16. ^ Worden, Amy (February 19, 2013). "Democrat David L. Cohen of Comcast to back GOP's Corbett". Philly.com.
  17. ^ "President Biden Announces Four Key Foreign Policy Nominations" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: The White House. July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  18. ^ Hayes, Dade (December 5, 2019). "Comcast's David Cohen, Diversity Exec And Adviser To Brian Roberts, Stepping Down". Deadline. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  19. ^ "PN923 - Nomination of David L. Cohen for Department of State, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". www.congress.gov. November 2, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  20. ^ @usembassyottawa (December 1, 2021). "U.S. Ambassador-designate to Canada David L. Cohen was ceremonially sworn into office earlier today by @VP Kamala Harris at the White House" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "Governor General welcomed new heads of mission to Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall". The Governor General of Canada. December 7, 2021. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Canada
2021–present 		Incumbent