| 1938 |
|
Born in Bakersfield, California to Paul and Marian Deaver. Mother was a reporter for the local paper in Mojave. Father worked for Shell Oil Company.
|
|
| 1959 |
|
Graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in political science and public administration. Member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. |
|
| 1960 |
|
Worked in the sales department of IBM by day and performed by night on the piano at the Interlude Bar in San Jose using the name, Michael Keith. Soon left to travel the world for nearly a year. Played piano in Sydney, Australia to earn money for return home.
|
|
| 1965 |
|
Hired as field representative for California Republican Party in charge of three state assembly campaigns in the Central Coast Region. |
|
| 1966 |
|
Meets Ronald Reagan for the first time. Ronald Reagan elected Governor of California. Deaver takes number two position on transition team.
|
|
| 1967 |
|
Joins Ronald Reagan’s gubernatorial staff as an assistant cabinet secretary and then as Deputy Chief of Staff. Responsibilities included scheduling, special projects and liaison to First Lady Nancy Reagan.
|
|
| 1969 |
|
Meets and marries Carolyn Judy, who was also working in Governor Reagan’s office in Sacramento. They were married in the John Muir Chapel at Yosemite National Park.
|
|
| 1970 |
|
Daughter Amanda born in Sacramento. |
|
| 1975 |
|
Son Blair born in Sacramento. |
|
| 1975 |
|
Ronald Reagan’s governorship concludes. Mike and Peter Hannaford found Deaver and Hannaford, a public relations firm with offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles. |
|
| 1976 |
|
Ronald Reagan launches presidential campaign. Deaver serves as close confidant and advisor. |
|
| 1979 |
|
Deaver joins Ronald Reagan’s second presidential campaign as senior advisor. Departs campaign in late November after internal dispute among campaign staff.
|
|
| 1980 |
|
Deaver rejoins campaign. Ronald Reagan elected President of the United States. Deaver joins transition team as senior advisor. |
|
| 1981 |
|
Joins Reagan’s White House staff as Deputy Chief of Staff. |
|
| 1984 |
|
Reagan wins reelection as President of the United States. Deaver serves as chairman of the inaugural committee. |
|
| 1985 |
|
Departs White House. Forms Michael K. Deaver & Associates, a public affairs firm based in Washington, D.C. |
|
| 1986 |
|
The pressure and stress of the White House had taken its toll, and Deaver found himself faced with two challenges: an addiction to alcohol and the focus of an independent counsel investigation. Deaver got sober in 1986, and when he was later convicted of perjury, his sentence included a community service requirement, which he fulfilled at Clean and Sober Streets, a nascent shelter and rehab center for homeless addicts in downtown Washington. He remained actively involved at Clean and Sober for the next 20 years. |
|
| 1988 |
|
Writes and publishes with Mickey Herskowitz his first book: Behind the Scenes. |
|
| 1992 |
|
Joins public relations firm Edelman as executive vice president in Washington, D.C. office. |
|
| 1995 |
|
Promoted to Vice Chairman International and Director of Corporate Affairs for the Washington office of Edelman. |
|
| 1996 |
|
Takes prominent role advising Republican National Committee on National Convention strategy and operations. |
|
| 2001 |
|
Writes and publishes A Different Drummer: My Thirty Years with Ronald Reagan. |
|
| 2004 |
|
Writes and publishes Nancy: A Portrait of My Years with Nancy Reagan. |
|
| 2005 |
|
Edits and publishes collection of essays by prominent public figures titled: Why I Am a Reagan Conservative. |
|
| 2006 |
|
Becomes Chairman of Edelman’s Washington, D.C. office. |
|
| October 2006 As Deaver prepared to celebrate 20 years of sobriety, he was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Like the challenges of the past, this too he faced with serenity, courage and wisdom. |
