Jeffrey Kessler
The data on this page comes from a financial disclosure filed by Jeffrey Kessler, who was picked to be: Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, Department of Commerce. It is part of a collection of thousands of ethics documents ProPublica has been collecting from across the Trump administration.
Roles Outside Government
Officials are required to disclose paid or unpaid positions they hold or recently held outside the federal government, including roles as officer, director, trustee or employee. (Form 278e, Part 1)
Employment Assets
Officials are required to disclose assets associated with their employment, including salary, retirement accounts, stocks, intellectual property and awards or prizes. (Form 278e, Part 2)
| Description | Value | Income | Income Type | Endnote | Line No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roth IRA | 1 | ||||
| American Funds Fundamental Investors (ANCFX) | $15,001 - $50,000 | None (or less than $201) | 1.1 | ||
| American Funds New Perspective Fund (ANWPX) | $15,001 - $50,000 | None (or less than $201) | 1.2 | ||
| Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP, 401K plan | 2 | ||||
| Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Trust II | $250K - $500K | None (or less than $201) | 2.1 | ||
| Spartan 500 Index Pool (Class C) | $100K - $250K | None (or less than $201) | 2.2 | ||
| Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) (law firm) anticipated partnership share | $1M - $5M | None (or less than $201) | 3 | ||
| Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) | $2.3M | Partnership share | 4 | ||
| Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) capital account | $500K - $1M | $15,001 - $50,000 | Interest | 5 | |
| Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP defined benefit plan (value not readily ascertainable): eligible for approximately $2,200/mo. at age 62 | None (or less than $201) | 6 |
Employment Agreements
Officials are required to disclose agreements relating to other jobs, including what will happen with any small businesses they own during government service and any continued health care coverage, planned leaves of absence, severance or bonuses. (Form 278e, Part 3)
| Organization | Agreement | Endnote | Line No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) | I will continue to participate in the defined contribution plan. The plan sponsor will not make contributions after my separation. (2021-01-01) | 1 | |
| Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) | Pursuant to the partnership agreement, the final 2024 partnership profit payment, and a partial 2025 partnership profit payment, will be made at the time of my separation and prior to assuming the duties of the position. The total amount of the payments will be calculated as of the date of my withdrawal. (2025-02-01) | 2 | |
| Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) | Pursuant to the partnership agreement, I will receive a lump sum payment of my capital contribution at the time of separation and prior to assuming the duties of the position. This payment will be calculated as of the date of my withdrawal. (2021-01-01) | 3 | |
| Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) | I will receive a lump sum payout of my defined benefit plan upon my separation, calculated using an objective formula, to be paid out within two months of my separation. I will not be eligible for any future benefit. (2025-02-01) | 4 | |
| Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) | I will retain the benefit of tax preparation services for my participation in the partnership for 2024, prepaid by the firm for all partners. (2021-01-01) | 5 |
Compensation
Officials are required to disclose the sources of any compensation above $5,000 in a year. (Form 278e, Part 4)
| Organization | Description | Endnote | Line No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale) | Partner | 1 | |
| Activision Blizzard, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 2 | |
| Aura Consolidated Group, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 3 | |
| Blackstone Group, The | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 4 | |
| Blockchain Game Partners, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 5 | |
| BMW of North America, LLC | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 6 | |
| Boeing Company, The | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 7 | |
| Boston Consulting Group, Inc. (The) | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 8 | |
| Broadcom Corporation | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 9 | |
| Cameco Corporation | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 10 | |
| Carbon Activated Corporation | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 11 | |
| CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 12 | |
| Cisco Systems, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 13 | |
| AnnJoy Imports LLC | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 14 | |
| Commonwealth Packaging Company | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 15 | |
| Infinity Global | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 16 | |
| Pack America Corp., The | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 17 | |
| Primeline Packaging | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 18 | |
| PWS Packaging | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 19 | |
| S. Walter Packaging Corp. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 20 | |
| Transco Packaging Group | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 21 | |
| Electrolux Home Products, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 22 | |
| Eli Lilly and Company | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 23 | |
| Etsy, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 24 | |
| First Solar, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 25 | |
| Gates Foundation | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 26 | |
| GE Healthcare Technologies Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 27 | |
| Grupo Deacero | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 28 | |
| Honeywell International Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 29 | |
| Intel Corporation | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 30 | |
| Inter-State Gas Systems (Pvt) Ltd. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 31 | |
| Lexmark International, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 32 | |
| Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 33 | |
| Meta Platforms, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 34 | |
| MGM Resorts International Operations, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 35 | |
| Michigan Sugar Company | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 36 | |
| Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (Japan) | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 37 | |
| Mosaic Company (The) | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 38 | |
| MVM Partners LLP | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 39 | |
| Nephron Nitrile, LLC | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 40 | |
| Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 41 | |
| NURA USA LLC | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 42 | |
| Nuna Baby Essentials, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 43 | |
| Owens Corning | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 44 | |
| DuPont Teijin Films | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 45 | |
| Mitsubishi Chemical America, Inc. - Polyester Film Division | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 46 | |
| SK Microworks America, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 47 | |
| Toray Plastics (America), Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 48 | |
| Rowley Company (The) | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 49 | |
| Sierra Pacific Industries | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 50 | |
| SKECHERS USA, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 51 | |
| Taconic Capital Advisors LP | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 52 | |
| Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 53 | |
| Walt Disney Company (The) | Legal services as a WilmerHale attorney | 54 |
Spouse’s Assets
Officials are required to disclose their spouse’s assets, including salary and retirement accounts worth more than $1,000. (Form 278e, Part 5)
| Description | Value | Income | Income Type | Endnote | Line No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roth IRA | 1 | ||||
| Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) | $15,001 - $50,000 | None (or less than $201) | 1.1 | ||
| Analysis Group, 401(k) plan | None (or less than $201) | 2 | |||
| Fidelity Contrafund Fund (FCNKX) | $100K - $250K | None (or less than $201) | 2.1 | ||
| Fidelity International Discovery Fund (FIDKX) | $1,001 - $15,000 | None (or less than $201) | 2.2 |
Other Assets and Income
Officials are required to disclose other assets and sources of investment income belonging to them, their spouse or their dependent children. These include annuities, bonds, cash, college savings plans, farms, precious metals, real estate, stocks, trusts and wills. (Form 278e, Part 6)
| Description | Value | Income | Income Type | Endnote | Line No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX) | $50,001 - $100K | $201 - $1,000 | 1 | ||
| Columbia Seligman Communications and Information Fund (SLMCX) | $15,001 - $50,000 | $5,001 - $15,000 | 2 | ||
| American Funds Growth Fund of America (AGTHX) | $250K - $500K | $15,001 - $50,000 | 3 | ||
| American Funds Capital World Growth and Income Fund (CWGIX) | $50,001 - $100K | $2,501 - $5,000 | 4 | ||
| American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund (SMCWX) | $50,001 - $100K | $201 - $1,000 | 5 | ||
| Dodge & Cox Stock Fund (DODGX) | $500K - $1M | $50,001 - $100K | 6 | ||
| DODGE & COX INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND (DODFX) | $100K - $250K | $2,501 - $5,000 | 7 | ||
| U.S. Bank #2 (Cash) | $100K - $250K | $2,501 - $5,000 | Interest | 8 | |
| U.S. Bank #1 (Cash) | $100K - $250K | None (or less than $201) | 9 | ||
| Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund Investor Shares (VMFXX) | $1,001 - $15,000 | $201 - $1,000 | 10 | ||
| Vanguard International Stock Index Admiral (VTIAX) | $1,001 - $15,000 | None (or less than $201) | 11 | ||
| American Funds New Perspective Fund (ANWPX) | $100K - $250K | $5,001 - $15,000 | 12 | ||
| American Funds Fundamental Investors (ANCFX) | $250K - $500K | $15,001 - $50,000 | 13 | ||
| Virginia 529 College Savings Plan (VCSP) | 14 | ||||
| American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund (AEPGX) | $1,001 - $15,000 | None (or less than $201) | 14.1 | ||
| American Funds Growth Fund of America (AGTHX) | $100K - $250K | None (or less than $201) | 14.2 | ||
| American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund (AEPGX) | $50,001 - $100K | $2,501 - $5,000 | 15 | ||
| American Funds Washington Mutual A (AWSHX) | $15,001 - $50,000 | $2,501 - $5,000 | 16 | ||
| Pyramid Company L.L.L.P. (Richmond, Virginia) (residential real estate rentals) | 17 | ||||
| Williamsburg Park Apartments (Henrico, Virginia) | $250K - $500K | $15,001 - $50,000 | Rent or Royalties | 17.1 | |
| Merck & Co., Inc. (mrk) | $1,001 - $15,000 | None (or less than $201) | Dividends | 17.2 | |
| Dodge & Cox Stock Fund (DODGX) | $250K - $500K | $15,001 - $50,000 | 18 | ||
| DODGE & COX INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND (DODFX) | $50,001 - $100K | $1,001 - $2,500 | 19 | ||
| Dell Technologies, Inc. (DELL) | $1,001 - $15,000 | None (or less than $201) | 20 | ||
| Residential real estate, Middleburg, Virginia | $100K - $250K | $15,001 - $50,000 | Rent or Royalties | 21 | |
| U.S. Bank #3 (Cash) | $1,001 - $15,000 | None (or less than $201) | 22 |
Liabilities
Officials are required to disclose their liabilities totaling more than $10,000, as well as any linked to their spouse or dependent children. These include mortgages, credit card debt and student loans. The interest rates and loan repayment terms are also required. (Form 278e, Part 8)
| Creditor | Description | Endnote | Line No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cenlar (from Citi) | type: Mortgage on Personal Residence, amount: $500,001 - $1,000,000, year-incurred: 2021, rate: 3.375%, term: 30 years | 1 | |
| Cenlar (from Citi) | type: Mortgage on Personal Residence, amount: $1,000,001 - $5,000,000, year-incurred: 2021, rate: 3.125%, term: 30 years | 2 |
About the Data
Most political appointees and senior officials in the executive branch are required by law to file public financial disclosure reports. These are documents that detail their financial holdings, positions they hold outside government, their spouse’s holdings, their liabilities and their recent financial transactions (such as buying or selling stock) during a defined reporting period.
The most senior officials file their disclosures with an agency called the Office of Government Ethics, and others file them with a designated ethics official within their agency. The Ethics in Government Act allows members of the public and the press to request these documents.
We’re publishing this information to give the public an important glimpse into the financial ties of a powerful and often hidden cadre of presidential appointees within the federal bureaucracy.
The main document type included in the database is the OGE Form 278e, which appointees must file when they are nominated (for Senate-confirmed appointees) or when they enter government (all others), and then annually while in the position. Another common document included is the OGE Form 278-T, also known as a periodic transaction report, which all public filers must submit within 30 days of a transaction. We are also making other ethics documents available, such as ethics agreements, certificates of divestiture and other documents we have obtained under the Ethics in Government Act.
