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Career & Education
About
Steve Grossman (born Stephen L. Grossman) is an American businessman, Democratic politician, and diplomat. Born and raised in a Jewish family in Newton, Massachusetts, he graduated from Princeton University with a bachelor's degree in 1968 and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1972. He built a successful business career, founding and leading Clip Corner, Inc., a picture framing company that grew into a national chain with over 100 stores.
His political involvement began with fundraising for Democratic candidates and he has been a key figure in Democratic Jewish networks, supporting candidates like Michael Dukakis and Al Gore. He is best known for his leadership in pro-Israel advocacy, serving as President of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) from 1992 to 1996, a period during which he helped transform the organization into a more influential lobbying force in Washington, D.C. He later chaired the Democratic National Platform Committee.
In public service, Grossman served as Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts from 1999 to 2003, managing the state's financial operations and pension funds. He was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Turkey by President Bill Clinton, serving from 1999 to 2001 during a time of strained U.S.-Turkey relations. He ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Massachusetts in 2002 but was defeated in the primary by Shannon O'Brien.
Grossman remains active in philanthropy focused on education and Israel-related causes. He is married to Barbara Grossman, a former Massachusetts state representative, and they have three children. His career reflects a blend of economic enterprise and advocacy for U.S.-Israel relations, though he has faced criticism for AIPAC's lobbying tactics and his opposition to certain peace initiatives in the Middle East. No major legal controversies are documented, but his political ambitions were marked by competitive primaries and shifts in party dynamics.