Prior to entering public service, Geren was an
attorney and
businessman in
Fort Worth. From 1983 to 1985 he was an aide to Democrat
U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas. It is related to the political term "
Yellow Dog Democrat," a reference to
southern Democrats said to be so loyal they would even vote for a yellow dog if it were labeled a Democrat.
Department of Defense Geren joined the Department of Defense in September 2001 to serve as Special Assistant to the
Defense Secretary with responsibilities in the areas of inter-agency initiatives, legislative affairs and special projects. On July 29, 2005, Bush appointed Geren the acting
United States Secretary of the Air Force, a position he served in until the confirmation of his successor
Michael Wynne in November 2005. Geren was the 28th
Undersecretary of the Army, a post he assumed on February 21, 2006, following his nomination by President
George W. Bush and confirmation by the
United States Senate. As the Undersecretary, Geren was the Army's No. 2 civilian leader. He served as the deputy and senior advisor to the Secretary of the Army and was Acting Secretary in the absence of the Secretary. In March 2007, Geren was named Acting
Secretary of the United States Army by
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, after Army Secretary
Francis J. Harvey resigned
amidst the scandal at
Walter Reed Army Medical Center. On July 16, 2007, the Senate confirmed Geren as Secretary of the Army. On August 30, 2007, Geren established the independent
Commission on Army Acquisition and Program Management in Expeditionary Operations to investigate the contingency contracting crisis within the army. == Later life ==