SSA Commissioners

John J. Callahan

March 1, 1997 to September 29, 1997 (Acting)

John J. Callahan, Ph.D., was named Acting Commissioner of Social Security by President Clinton, effective March 1, 1997. Dr. Callahan's permanent position is Assistant Secretary of Management & Budget at the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Dr. Callahan has been with HHS since 1995. Prior to coming to HHS Dr. Callahan was Chief of Staff to Senator Jim Sasser (D-TN). He has also worked on Capitol Hill as Deputy Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Budget Committee and as Staff Director for the Senate Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations. Dr. Callahan, a native of Massachusetts, holds an undergraduate degree from Fordham University and Masters and Doctorate degrees from Syracuse University.