Kenneth S. Apfel is a professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. Prior to his academic appointment, Apfel served as the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration from 1997 until 2001. He also served in executive capacities at both the Office of Management and Budget and the US Department of Health and Human Services. Earlier in his career, Apfel worked on Capitol Hill for the US Senate Budget Committee and for US Senator Bill Bradley. Apfel currently chairs both the National Academy of Public Administration and the National Academy of Social Insurance.