The Hon. David M. Walker, Founder & CEO
Dave is the Founder and CEO of the Comeback America Initiative (CAI). In this capacity he leads CAI's efforts to promote fiscal responsibility and sustainability by engaging the public and assisting key policymakers on a non-partisan basis to help achieve solutions to America’s federal, state and local fiscal imbalances.
Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the first President and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. Previously, Dave served as the seventh Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) for almost ten years (1998-2008). This was one of Dave's three presidential appointments each by different Presidents during his 15 years of total federal service. Dave also has over 20 years of private sector experience, including approximately 10 years as a Partner and Global Managing Director of Human Capital Services for Arthur Andersen LLP.
In addition to his leadership responsibilities at CAI, Dave currently serves on various non-profit boards and advisory groups. He is also a member of the Accounting Hall of Fame, the Trilateral Commission, and the Sons of the American Revolution.
Dave has won numerous leadership awards both domestically and internationally. He also has authored three books, with the latest one entitled Comeback America: Turning the Country Around and Restoring Fiscal Responsibility (2010), which is National Bestseller. He is a frequent writer and media commentator, and is a subject of the critically acclaimed documentary I.O.U.S.A.
Download David Walker's Bio in PDF format, click here.
Kathleen M. Benanti, Office Administrator & Special Assistant to CEO
Kathleen joins the Comeback America Initiative as office administrator, special assistant, and corporate secretary, after working with David Walker at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation in New York City. Previously she worked on Wall Street for the management division of investment banking at Morgan Stanley. She received her undergraduate degree in International Studies from the University of South Alabama.
Mike V. Murphy, Senior Research Associate
Mike joined the Comeback America Initiative as a research associate after working as a transportation program analyst for the Port Authority of NY & NJ, before which he worked in healthcare legislative affairs for the American Cancer Society and as a congressional aide in the US House of Representatives. He received his undergraduate degree from the State University of NY at Albany, and graduate degree from Syracuse University.
Matthew P. Kahn, Research Associate
Matthew is a research associate with the Comeback America Initiative. He is a former Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) intern and a Bentley University graduate.
Sarah G. Small, Communications Associate
Sarah joined the Comeback America Initiative as a communications associate after receiving her undergraduate degree from Elon University.