The nation’s “Ebola czar,” Ron Klain, plans to move back to the private sector less than five months after being tasked to oversee the government response to the possible spread of the deadly virus.
Klain is president of Case Holdings, an investment firm, and general counsel for Revolution, its venture capital group.
“Ron agreed to serve the country as Ebola coordinator for 130 days, and will return to Revolution on March 1,” Steve Case, Klain’s boss, told CNBC.
President Obama appointed Klain on Oct. 17. At the time, Ebola had spread across West Africa and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was working to educate the public as Americans who contracted the disease overseas returned to the United States.
Two nurses at Texas Presbyterian Health Hospital in Dallas tested positive for Ebola after treating a Liberian, Thomas Eric Duncan, who died after becoming the first patient diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S.
Klain’s tenure at the White House was to last 130 days, Obama’s press secretary, Josh Earnest, confirmed today. Some White House watchers, however, had speculated Klain would take over for John Podesta, counselor to the president.
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Klain came under fire after his appointment for his largely political background and lack of medical expertise. His experience includes working as chief of staff to two vice presidents, Al Gore and Joe Biden. During his tenure with Biden, Klain oversaw implementation of the Obama administration’s economic stimulus package.
One aspect of Klain’s resume that drew criticism was his position as a trustee for Third Way, a think tank that advocates immigration reform. The group is part of the Democracy Alliance, which funnels millions of dollars to more than 180 left-wing organizations through what critics call “dark money” practices.
More than 6,000 have died in West Africa from Ebola, and reported cases topped 17,000. Although the virus remains contained in the U.S. and no new cases here have been reported, local and state health departments continue to monitor more than 1,400 Americans who returned from West Africa.
