Kenneth M. Duberstein
Ken Duberstein passed away on March 2, 2022.
Ken was many things to many people; a caring father, a loving husband, a loyal friend, a trusted advisor, a thoughtful listener, and a strategic leader. His storied career brought him from the halls of Congress to the Oval Office, from corporate boards to academic institutions, and ultimately, to all of us here at the Duberstein Group.
While he had a knack (some might call it a reputation) for being the last one to enter the room, Ken was guaranteed to be the first one to fill it with laughter. He was somehow both larger than life and invariably authentic. Regardless of how, when, and where Ken entered your life, you undoubtedly came away a bit happier, a bit lighter, a bit more thankful. We certainly have.
We are grateful to have known him, proud to have worked with him, and heartbroken to see him go. But Ken’s legacy will live on through each of us as we remain guided by his relentless optimism and unwavering kindness.
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Kenneth M. Duberstein was chairman and CEO of The Duberstein Group from 1989-2022. Duberstein served as a key member of the Reagan Administration during his various assignments as White House Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs. Among the Boards of Directors on which Duberstein served: The Boeing Company (Lead Director, and Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee), The Travelers Companies (Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee), Conoco-Phillips (Presiding Director and Chairman of the Governance Committee), Dell, Inc., and Mack-Cali Realty Corporation. He was a Lifetime Trustee of Franklin & Marshall College, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and served as well on the board of directors of the Brookings Institution, and the Colin L. Powell School of Civic and Global Leadership. He also served as Chairman and longtime board member of The Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School. Ken was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, having served on its board for 10 years. From 2003 to 2006, he was a consultant for storyline and accuracy for the Emmy award winning TV series West Wing. He was married to the former Jacquelyn Fain.
Michael S. Berman
Mike Berman passed away January 12, 2024.
Mike’s illustrious career is renowned for many reasons; his success in private practice, his distinguished public service at the highest levels of government, and his founding of DGI.
But Mike Berman will be remembered for much more than his career.
Those that sought his personal counsel will remember Mike for his generosity and sincerity.
Those that understood his passion will remember Mike as a champion of civil rights.
Those that read even 1 of the 213 editions of his newsletter – “Mike’s Washington Watch” – will remember his wit & humor.
And those who had the privilege of knowing him best will always remember his devout friendship, kindness, and loyalty.
So whether it’s because of the sage counsel he provided our nation’s political and business leaders, his efforts to support and elevate women, or simply for the meaningful time he spent with his family, Michael Berman will be remembered as a trusted, thoughtful, and great man.
Berman was President Emeritus and one of the founders of The Duberstein Group, Inc., a government affairs consulting firm, established in 1989 and based in Washington, DC. Previous to that he was a Partner in the Washington office of the law firm of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart.
Prior to joining the law firm, he was Legal Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff to Vice President Walter F. Mondale and as Administrative Assistant to Mr. Mondale when he was a Member of the U.S. Senate and as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Minnesota.
Berman was active in every Presidential campaign from 1964-2004, and every Democratic convention from 1968-2004. In the 1984 Presidential campaign, he was Treasurer and National Campaign Coordinator for the Mondale for President Campaign. For many years he played an active role with the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Berman served as an advisor to the Committee for Economic Development on their Campaign Finance Reform Project, and as a Member of the Panel on Scientific Responsibility and the Conduct of Research of the National Academy of Science’s Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy.
Berman was a Research Fellow of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies of the School of Public Affairs, American University (Washington, DC). He also served for many years as a lecturer and mentor in the American University Lobbying Institute.
Berman served multiple terms on the Boards of Directors of two non-profit organizations: The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, where he chaired the Outreach Committee; and The Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health.
Berman served on the Board of the Human Rights Campaign.
In 2006, Berman authored the book, Living Large: A Big Man’s Ideas on Weight, Success and Acceptance, written with Laurence Shames, and published by Rodale Press.
In 2010, Berman was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws for Public Service, by the University of Minnesota – Duluth.