Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dave McCormick

Discover the career path of Dave McCormick, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

David Harold McCormick is an American politician, businessman, and former Army officer currently serving as the junior United States Senator from Pennsylvania since 2025. A Republican, McCormick was previously the CEO of Bridgewater Associates, a major global hedge fund, from 2020 to 2022. His background encompasses military service, business leadership in the finance sector, and now, political representation at the federal level.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1987: Graduation from United States Military Academy

In 1987, David McCormick graduated from the United States Military Academy.

1987: Joined 82nd Airborne Division

In 1987, after completing Airborne and Ranger Schools, David McCormick joined the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

1991: Deployed to Iraq during Gulf War

In 1991, David McCormick was part of the first wave of U.S. troops deployed to Iraq during the Gulf War.

1992: Left Military Service

In 1992, David McCormick left the military service after five years, separating at the rank of Captain.

1996: Worked as Consultant at McKinsey & Co.

From 1996, David McCormick worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Co. based in Pittsburgh.

1996: Earned Ph.D. from Princeton University

In 1996, David McCormick earned a Ph.D. from Princeton University.

1999: Left McKinsey & Co.

David McCormick worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Co. based in Pittsburgh until 1999.

1999: Joined FreeMarkets

In 1999, David McCormick joined FreeMarkets, a global provider of software and services.

2001: Promoted to President of FreeMarkets

In 2001, David McCormick was promoted to president of FreeMarkets.

2002: Named CEO of FreeMarkets

In 2002, David McCormick was named chief executive officer of FreeMarkets.

2004: FreeMarkets Sold to Ariba

In 2004, David McCormick sold FreeMarkets to Ariba for approximately $500 million.

2005: Joined the Bush Administration

In 2005, David McCormick joined the George W. Bush administration, holding several positions.

2005: Nominated as Under Secretary of Commerce

In 2005, David McCormick was nominated and confirmed as the Commerce Department's Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security.

2007: Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs

From 2007, David McCormick served as the Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs.

2007: Deputy National Security Advisor

In 2007, David McCormick became the Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Policy.

2007: Spoke in Beijing as Member of Bush Administration

In 2007, David McCormick, as a member of the George W. Bush administration, spoke in Beijing, China, stating that "When China succeeds, the United States succeeds".

2008: Highlighted Benefits of Free Trade

In 2008, David McCormick highlighted the benefits of free trade, stating the key to remaining competitive is embracing openness to trade and investment.

2008: Coordinated Response to Financial Crisis

In 2008, David McCormick served as Henry Paulson's point person on the international response to the 2008 financial crisis.

2009: Teaches at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College

In 2009, Dave McCormick taught at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College, on its Washington, D.C. campus; he held the title of Distinguished Service Professor of Information Technology, Public Policy and Management.

2009: Co-wrote Opinion Piece Supporting Trans-Pacific Partnership

In 2009, David McCormick and Karan Bhatia co-wrote an opinion piece for Wall Street Journal Asia supporting the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

2009: Joined Bridgewater Associates

In 2009, David McCormick joined Bridgewater Associates as its president.

2009: Became President of Bridgewater Associates

In 2009, David McCormick left the Bush administration to become president of Bridgewater Associates.

2009: End of Term as Under Secretary of the Treasury

In 2009, David McCormick's term as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs came to an end.

2011: Elected to CMU's board of trustees

In 2011, Dave McCormick was elected to a three-year term on CMU's board of trustees.

2013: Signs amicus brief supporting gay marriage legalization

In 2013, Dave McCormick joined 131 other Republicans in signing an amicus brief filed at the United States Supreme Court supporting the legalization of gay marriage prior to Obergefell v. Hodges.

2016: Advocated for Strong US Role in Promoting Human Rights

In 2016, David McCormick advocated for the idea that the United States can focus on addressing domestic issues while also leading efforts to promote human rights.

2016: Considered for Secretary of Treasury

In 2016, Donald Trump considered naming David McCormick the U.S. Secretary of Treasury but offered him the position of U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense instead.

2017: Became Co-CEO of Bridgewater

In 2017, David McCormick became co-CEO of Bridgewater Associates.

2017: Named to Defense Policy Board

In 2017, James Mattis named David McCormick as a member of the Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee.

December 2019: Announcement of Becoming Sole CEO of Bridgewater

In December 2019, it was announced that David McCormick would become the sole CEO of Bridgewater in 2020.

2019: Considered for U.S. Secretary of Defense

In early 2019, the Trump administration considered David McCormick for U.S. Secretary of Defense.

2020: McCormick Becomes CEO of Bridgewater Associates

In 2020, David McCormick became the chief executive officer (CEO) of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world's largest hedge funds.

2020: Became Sole CEO of Bridgewater

In 2020, David McCormick became the sole CEO of Bridgewater, marking the end of a 10-year management transition of the firm.

2020: Removed from Defense Policy Board

In 2020, David McCormick was removed from the Defense Policy Board by Donald Trump.

November 2021: Raised Funds for Bridgewater in China

By November 2021, as head of Bridgewater, David McCormick had raised 8 billion yuan ($1.3 billion) for a private fund in China.

November 22, 2021: Parnell withdrew from Senate race

On November 22, 2021, Sean Parnell withdrew from the Senate race, paving the way for McCormick's candidacy.

December 2021: Recruited to Run for Senate

In December 2021, Republicans began recruiting David McCormick to run for the United States Senate seat in Pennsylvania.

January 3, 2022: Left Bridgewater Associates

On January 3, 2022, David McCormick left Bridgewater Associates and was replaced by Mark Bertolini and Nir Bar Dea as co-CEOs.

January 13, 2022: Announced Senate Candidacy

On January 13, 2022, David McCormick announced his candidacy for the Senate seat in Pennsylvania.

February 2022: Ran Commercial During Super Bowl

In February 2022, David McCormick ran a 30-second commercial during Super Bowl LVI highlighting rising inflation and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

2022: Stepped Down from Bridgewater to Run for Senate

In 2022, David McCormick stepped down from his position as CEO of Bridgewater Associates to run for the U.S. Senate.

2022: McCormick Leaves Bridgewater Associates

In 2022, David McCormick stepped down from his position as CEO of Bridgewater Associates.

September 21, 2023: Announced Second Senate Campaign

On September 21, 2023, David McCormick announced his second Senate campaign for Pennsylvania's Class 1 Senate seat.

March 2024: Residency becomes a major issue during Senate campaign

As of March 2024, Dave McCormick splits his time between Connecticut and Pennsylvania; his residency was a major issue during his 2024 Senate campaign.