Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a private non-profit corporation chartered in Delaware in 1980 with tax-exemption as a 501(c)( 3) corporation by the Internal Revenue Service. The first Chairman of the Board was Governor Pete du Pont and the President and Chief Executive Officer was Kenneth M. Smith who has led the national organization since 1980. The JAG National Board of Directors is comprised of a cross-section of JAG stakeholders from elected state officials, government, corporations, community-based organizations, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, professional associations, and employers. It is believed that JAG is unique among private non-profit corporations since current and former governors serve on the JAG Board of Directors.
The current chairman of the board is The Honorable Phil Bryant, Governor of Mississippi. The Honorable Steve Bullock, Governor of Montana, The Honorable Jay Nixon, Governor of Missouri, and The Honorable Mike Pence, Governor of Indiana are the current Vice Chairs of the Board. The Chair of the Executive Committee is Thomas J. Tauke, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Policy and Communications, Verizon Communications.
The Chairs of the JAG Board of Directors since 1980 include:
1980-1985
The Honorable Pete du Pont, Governor of Delaware
1986-1989
The Honorable Charles S. Robb, Governor Virginia
1990-1995
The Honorable John R. McKernan, Jr., Governor of Maine
1996-1998
The Honorable George V. Voinovich, Governor of Ohio
1998-2002
The Honorable Marc Racicot, Governor of Montana
2002-2003
Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Author and Speaker
2003
The Honorable Tom Vilsack, Governor of Iowa
2004-2006
The Honorable Janet Napolitano, Governor of Arizona
2007-2010
The Honorable John E. Baldacci, Governor of Maine
2011-2014
The Honorable Jack Markell, Governor of Delaware
