Dennis E Whitfield

Dennis E. Whitfield, a legend in Republican politics, conservative causes, and domestic and foreign public affairs and government policy died unexpectedly from an apparent heart attack on Sunday, August 18. Whitfield, 76, was a native of Albany, Georgia and a 1972 graduate of the University of Georgia.

Beyond a storied career, Dennis was known far and wide for both his intelligence and sense of humor. He would take special delight in allowing northern elites thinking of him as country boy from Georgia as he managed to engineer them into doing exactly what he wanted. It is not enough to say Dennis was one of a kind, which he was. He was a very special one of a kind. Everyone who encountered Dennis is better for it. Whether you were a foreign dignitary or the person waiting on him at a restaurant, you were treated with genuine respect.

Even prior to graduating college, Dennis had jumped into politics, working for Jimmy Bentley's 1970 campaign for governor in Georgia. After graduating from college, Dennis took a try at real estate, a career choice that did not match his desire to be in the middle of things. During the 1974 campaign cycle, he served as a consultant and campaign manager on two southern campaigns. People are still laughing about his stories concerning the Hilbun campaign for Congress in the Second District of Mississippi.

After the 1974 election, Dennis and his wife, Linda Coulter Whitfield, operated the Old Clinton Barbecue in Gray, Georgia where they provided world class barbecue to the likes of the Allman Brothers.

In 1976, he went to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he shared an office with the late John Schrote. As staff assistants to the Deputy Under Secretary, the two of them managed to become known as the go to people for counsel on all political matters.

From 1977-1980, Dennis was one of the Brock Boys at the Republican National Committee. First, he was a Regional Political Director in the southern region. Later, he oversaw all the RNC's education and training programs. To this day, friends that Dennis and Linda made during this time remain close.

With the election of Ronald Reagan, Dennis became the White House liaison at the U.S. Department of Energy. Very soon in the first term, he moved to the Office of the Special Trade Representative, headed by Bill Brock, serving as Deputy Trade Representative. In 1985, he was confirmed by the United States Senate as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor. Dennis was the leader of the Department's Workforce 2000 Project. This widely praised plan outlined what needed to be done in order to educate and train a workforce capable of competing in the world in the 21st Century.

When the Reagan Presidency ended, he became the managing partner of the Brock Group. Led by Bill Brock, the firm quickly became known for their ability to manage difficult public affairs and government issues both in the United States and abroad.

In 1998, Dennis left the Brock Group to become Vice President for Political Affairs at the National Federation of Business (NFIB). It is fair to say Dennis was central and essential in transforming NFIB into the political force it is today. Nobody could get people to the table, force decisions, and move effectively into action quite like Dennis E. Whitfield. Simply put, he was a strategist who was capable of managing the internal politics essential to getting anything done and then translate those plans into successful tactics. He was loved by the people who worked with and for him.

From 2004-2007 Dennis was with Burson-Marsteller, serving as the Chairman of its grassroots firm, Direct Impact. The loyalty to and friendship with Ken Reitz has served as a model to many about what it means to be a real friend.

In 2008, Dennis was tapped to become Executive Vice President at the American Conservative Union (ACU). In addition to running the day-to-day operations of ACU, he was instrumental in directing the growth in the organization's annual C-PAC gathering. Today, most agree this is the largest single gathering of grassroots conservatives every year. Dennis had much to do with making it happen. He remained there until 2013.

You would never know it by the schedule he kept, however, on paper it says Dennis "retired" in 2014. Until his death, that idea was a well-kept secret. Providing counsel and mentoring to a whole new generation was nothing new to Dennis. In every position he held, Dennis took the time to seek out younger individuals to teach them the landscape with a smile on his face and kindness in his heart.

Dennis and Linda celebrated their 52nd on August 6. They were long-time members of First Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia where the couple resided. His faith was central to his life. From 1997, he was part of a Friday prayer group. He participated right up to the Friday before his death. Members include Charlie Black, Ed Goeas, Bill Greener, Jim Handley Bill Harris, Bill Lee, Robin Roberts and Ed Stewart.

An avid sports fan, he and Linda have had Washington Nationals season tickets from the day they resumed major league baseball in the nation's capital. Each year, the two would journey to Jacksonville, Florida for the football game between his beloved Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida Gators. For many years, they were members of Mount Vernon Country Club where the two favorite places for Dennis were the practice tee and the 19th hole. In both places, you always knew he was present by the loud laughter coming from the area.

Anyone who spent time with Dennis knew what his fraternity, Chi Psi, meant to him. It was not enough that he had been president of the chapter at UGA. After graduating, he held numerous positions with the national organization including being one of the inaugural undergraduate members of the Executive Council, leader of the Capital Area Alumni Association, alumnus member of the Executive Council where he was its Chairman for two years, and Trustee of the Chi Psi Educational Trust.

After faith, family came next. In addition to his wife of 52 years, Linda, Dennis is survived by his sister Karen Spangler (Jeff), brothers Steve Whitfield (Donna) and Jeff Whitfield, as well as nephews Seth Spangler (Iris) and Drew Spangler (Nicole) and four grand nieces and nephews. Dennis was predeceased by his parents Dorris and Elizabeth Whitfield, Uncle Bill (Sarah Blow), and brother Charles Whitfield.

No date has been set for a celebration of life service. America lost a patriot. We lost a great husband, wonderful brother, doting uncle, and a great friend. Rest in peace, Dennis.

Donations may be made to the scholarship fund for Chi Psi at Alpha Alpha Delta at University of Georgia, 1120 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605.