Bernard W. Aronson

Bernard William Aronson (born May 16, 1946) was United States Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs from 1989 to 1993.

Bernard W. Aronson was born in May 1946, the son of Annette and Arnold Aronson. His father was a founder of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. Bernard was educated at the University of Chicago, receiving his B.A. in 1967. He served in the United States Army Reserve. From 1973 to 1977, he was assistant to the president of the United Mine Workers. He appears onscreen briefly in the Oscar-winning 1976 documentary Harlan County, U.S.A. in his capacity as a UMW spokesperson.

Aronson worked at the White House from 1977 to 1981 as Special Assistant and Speechwriter to Vice President of the United States Walter Mondale. In 1981, he became director of policy of the Democratic National Committee. From 1984 to 1988, he was president of the Policy Project. In February 1989, President of the United States George H. W. Bush nominated Aronson as Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, succeeding Elliott Abrams. After Senate Confirmation, he served in this office from June 16, 1989 until July 2, 1993.

Aronson left government service in 1993, joining Goldman Sachs as an International Advisor for Latin America. In 1996, he founded his own private equity company, ACON Investments, serving as its managing partner. He has also served on the Board of Directors of Mariner Energy, Liz Claiborne, Royal Caribbean International, and Global Hyatt.

Aronson also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Democratic Institute.