From 1996 to 1998, Ricchetti was in the private sector, engaged in lobbying for clients[5] at the governmental relations firm Public Strategies Washington (PSW).[11] In September 1998, he returned to the White House, where he was tasked with handling relations with congressional Democrats amidst the impeachment proceedings against Clinton.[5] In January 1999, Ricchetti became deputy White House chief of staff (succeeding John Podesta) and gained a larger portfolio.[5] In 2000, Ricchetti was appointed to President Clinton's task force on China PNTR (permanent normalized trade relations) during the president's last year. Along with Commerce Secretary William M. Daley, Ricchetti "led the Administration's successful campaign to secure permanent normal trade relations with China"[9][12] and coordinated with leaders of major U.S. corporations, such as Boeing, American Online and Intel to "sell the benefits of the trade accord to Congress and the public.”[13]
In March 2012 he was appointed to be counselor to Vice President Joe Biden.[15] Ricchetti had deregistered as a congressional lobbyist in late 2008 shortly after the election of Obama and Biden to the presidency and vice presidency, respectively.[15] Ricchetti's appointment was controversial due to President Obama's promise to not appoint lobbyists[16][17] and his issuance of "a tough new ethics policy meant to curb the revolving door between his administration and K street."[15] Because Ricchetti had not lobbied personally for over two years, he did not require a waiver from the administration's policy.[15] A statement from Biden's office in 2012 said that since 2008, Ricchetti had "advised clients on public policy, communications strategy, and grassroots efforts but did not act as a lobbyist with the federal government on behalf of any client."[18] The Washington Post reported Ricchetti earned $1.8 million from his firm, Ricchetti Inc., the year before his appointment, and was owed another $217,000 from work he completed the same year as his appointment.[18] In December 2013, Ricchetti succeeded Bruce Reed as chief of staff to the vice president, with the rank of Assistant to the President.[19]
Ricchetti was the chief planner for a possible Biden run in the 2016 presidential election. (Biden ultimately decided not to run.)[20][21]
Ricchetti lives in McLean, Virginia. He has four children with his wife, Amy.[9] Three of his children also work in the Biden administration: Daniel, a senior adviser in the State Department; J.J.; a special assistant in the Office of Legislative Affairs, and Shannon, a deputy associate director of the Office of the Social Secretary.[25][26]
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