December 1999

Hennessey Named Chief of Staff By Daniel Walsch J. Thomas Hennessey Jr., assistant research professor with The Institute of Public Policy, has been named as Chief of Staff for President Alan G. Merten. Hennessey, who came to George Mason in 1993, brings to this role more than 20 years' experience in various leadership and management positions, both inside and outside academia. He replaces Lawrence Czarda, who earlier this year was named vice president for Operations. The chief of staff at George Mason provides professional staff support to the president on a wide range of issues, works closely with the Board of Visitors, President's Office, and executive staff, and oversees a variety of special projects as assigned by the president. Since 1993, Hennessey has directed and facilitated a number of projects and programs at George Mason. These include directing the administrative, financial, and research efforts of the Mason Enterprise Center, serving as acting executive director of the Northern Virginia Business Roundtable, and serving as executive director of the university's Congressional Institute for the Future. Prior to coming to George Mason, Hennessey served as deputy chief of staff with the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (1991-1993), as chief of the European Division of Political-Military Affairs for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as U.S. Military Attache with the diplomatic service at the American Embassy in London. He earned his Ph.D. at George Mason University in 1996, and his master's and bachelor's degrees at Eastern Kentucky University.