Robert S. Silberman

Robert S. Silberman was born in Boston on October 30, 1957.[1][4] He is a 1976 graduate of the Phillips Exeter Academy. Silberman was educated at Dartmouth College, receiving a B.A. in history in 1980. He received an M.A. in international economics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in 1990.[1][4]

From 1980 to 1984, Silberman served as a United States Naval Officer aboard USS Badger (FF-1071).[1][5] From 1985 to 1988 he worked in energy finance at The Henley Group,[4] and at Ogden Corporation[4] (the predecessor to Covanta Holding Corporation.) In 1988 he entered Federal Government service as deputy administrator of the United States Maritime Administration in the United States Department of Transportation.[4]

In 1990, he was appointed United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy.[4] On June 15, 1992, President of the United States George H. W. Bush nominated Silberman to be United States Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs).[4] After Senate confirmation, Silberman held this office from 1992 to 1993.[6]

Silberman left government service in 1993, becoming assistant to the chief executive officer of International Paper.[7] He left for CalEnergy Company in 1995, where he served in a number of senior management roles, including as president and chief operating officer.[7] He left CalEnergy in 2000, and in March 2001 became chief executive officer of Strayer Education, Inc.[7] Additionally, since 2003 he has served as chairman of the board of Strayer.

In 2007, during his tenure at Strayer Education, Silberman was awarded Morningstar's CEO of the Year award.[8] Other recipients of the award include Warren Buffett, Jamie Dimon, Charles Schwab and Herb Kelleher.[9]

Silberman currently serves as a director of Strayer Education, Inc., of Covanta Holding Company, and of 21st Century Fox.[10][11] He also serves on the board of visitors of The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.[12] He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations as well.[13]