Charles B. Curtis
Encyclopedia
Charles B. Curtis is an American lawyer, currently the President Emeritus and Board Member of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a non-profit organization working to reduce the threats from nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. As well as working in private practice, Curtis served as the last Chairman of the Federal Power Commission
and the first Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
from 1977 to 1981. He has held positions on the staff of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Treasury Department, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Curtis graduated from Boston University School of Law
in 1965 and from University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1962. While at Boston University, Mr. Curtis served as Editor of Boston University Law School Law Review. He is a recipient of multiple scholarships including Rome Scholarship, VFW Scholarships. He was also a member of the American Legion
, and Sophomore and Senior Men’s Honorary Societies.
, U.S. Department of the Treasury. From May 1967 to June 1971 he was Lead counsel on energy, securities and consumer matters; Special Counsel to the Division of Trading and Markets; and Chief of the Branch of Regulation and Inspection of the Securities and Exchange Commission. From 1971 to 1976 he was a Professional Staff Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce.
Curtis was a founding partner of the Washington law firm Van Ness, Curtis, Feldman & Sutcliffe, P.C., in 1977.
and the first Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
from 1977 to 1981.
During 1997 Curtis served as Acting Secretary of Energy, having previously served as Under Secretary (From February 1994 to February 1997) and as Deputy Secretary (August 1995 to May 1997) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). He was Chief Operating Officer of the Department and, among other duties, had direct programmatic responsibility for all of the Department's energy, science, technology and national security programs.
Mr. Curtis was instrumental in improving U.S.-Russian relations during his tenure at the DOE. He led the development of two key programs that led to major U.S. government efforts in later years: working with the Russians to secure their nuclear material at civilian sites, and working with the Russians to secure and repatriate Soviet-origin highly enriched uranium, the easiest material to make a terrorist nuclear device with, scattered around the world in former Soviet republics and client states.
(UNF).
and CNN founder Ted Turner
to form a charitable organization focused on issues that were previously the domain of governments.
and the Homeland Security Advisory Council
.
awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
He also recently received Energy Daily's Public Policy Leadership Award for achievements in senior energy and national security policy posts in government and the private sector.
Federal Power Commission
The Federal Power Commission was an independent commission of the United States government, originally organized on June 23, 1930, with five members nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate...
and the first Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is the United States federal agency with jurisdiction over interstate electricity sales, wholesale electric rates, hydroelectric licensing, natural gas pricing, and oil pipeline rates...
from 1977 to 1981. He has held positions on the staff of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Treasury Department, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Background
Curtis was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. He is married and has one adult son.Curtis graduated from Boston University School of Law
Boston University School of Law
Boston University School of Law is the law school affiliated with Boston University, and is ranked #22 among American law schools by US News and World Report magazine. It is the second-oldest law school in Massachusetts and one of the first law schools in the country to admit students regardless...
in 1965 and from University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1962. While at Boston University, Mr. Curtis served as Editor of Boston University Law School Law Review. He is a recipient of multiple scholarships including Rome Scholarship, VFW Scholarships. He was also a member of the American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
, and Sophomore and Senior Men’s Honorary Societies.
Career
From June 1965 to May 1967 he was supervising staff attorney at the Office of the Comptroller of the CurrencyOffice of the Comptroller of the Currency
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is a US federal agency established by the National Currency Act of 1863 and serves to charter, regulate, and supervise all national banks and the federal branches and agencies of foreign banks in the United States...
, U.S. Department of the Treasury. From May 1967 to June 1971 he was Lead counsel on energy, securities and consumer matters; Special Counsel to the Division of Trading and Markets; and Chief of the Branch of Regulation and Inspection of the Securities and Exchange Commission. From 1971 to 1976 he was a Professional Staff Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce.
Curtis was a founding partner of the Washington law firm Van Ness, Curtis, Feldman & Sutcliffe, P.C., in 1977.
Department of Energy
Mr. Curtis served as the last Chairman of the Federal Power CommissionFederal Power Commission
The Federal Power Commission was an independent commission of the United States government, originally organized on June 23, 1930, with five members nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate...
and the first Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is the United States federal agency with jurisdiction over interstate electricity sales, wholesale electric rates, hydroelectric licensing, natural gas pricing, and oil pipeline rates...
from 1977 to 1981.
During 1997 Curtis served as Acting Secretary of Energy, having previously served as Under Secretary (From February 1994 to February 1997) and as Deputy Secretary (August 1995 to May 1997) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). He was Chief Operating Officer of the Department and, among other duties, had direct programmatic responsibility for all of the Department's energy, science, technology and national security programs.
Mr. Curtis was instrumental in improving U.S.-Russian relations during his tenure at the DOE. He led the development of two key programs that led to major U.S. government efforts in later years: working with the Russians to secure their nuclear material at civilian sites, and working with the Russians to secure and repatriate Soviet-origin highly enriched uranium, the easiest material to make a terrorist nuclear device with, scattered around the world in former Soviet republics and client states.
United Nations Foundation
From January 2000 to January 2001, Curtis served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the United Nations FoundationUnited Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation started up in 1998 with a $1 billion grant from Ted Turner in order to support the United Nations in executing its programs worldwide. The creation of the Foundation was intended to encourage other donors to also support the UN in its activities...
(UNF).
Nuclear Threat Initiative
From January 2001 to January 2010, Curtis served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a non-profit organization working to reduce the threats from nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. He is currently NTI's President Emeritus and a Board Member. NTI was founded in 2001 and resulted from Curtis teaming with former Senator Sam NunnSam Nunn
Samuel Augustus Nunn, Jr. is an American lawyer and politician. Currently the co-chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Threat Initiative , a charitable organization working to reduce the global threats from nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, Nunn served for 24 years as a...
and CNN founder Ted Turner
Ted Turner
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable news network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television...
to form a charitable organization focused on issues that were previously the domain of governments.
Memberships
Curtis has served on a number of boards, including a number of a corporate boards of directors, the Defense Policy Board of the Department of Defense, the Council on Foreign RelationsCouncil on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
and the Homeland Security Advisory Council
Homeland Security Advisory Council
The Homeland Security Advisory Council is part of the Executive Office of the President. It was created by an Executive Order on March 19, 2002.-Council Members:* William H. Webster , Partner, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, LLP...
.
Awards
Curtis is a recipient of the Energy Bar Association Lifetime Achievement award, as well as the Chairman's Award from the Securities and Exchange Commission, and a three-time recipient of the Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
He also recently received Energy Daily's Public Policy Leadership Award for achievements in senior energy and national security policy posts in government and the private sector.
External links
- The Nuclear Threat Initiative
- United Nations Foundation
- Department of Energy
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- The Law Firm of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.
See also
- Institute of Nuclear Materials ManagementInstitute of Nuclear Materials ManagementThe Institute of Nuclear Materials Management is an international technical and professional organization that works to promote safe handling of nuclear material and the safe practice of nuclear materials management through publications, as well as organized presentations and meetings.The INMM's...
- World Institute for Nuclear SecurityWorld Institute for Nuclear SecurityThe is an organisation which aims to help strengthen the physical protection and security of nuclear and radioactive materials and facilities worldwide...