Ron Kirk

Position: U.S. trade representative (a Cabinet post)

Age: 57

Background: Served as Dallas' first African-American mayor. His career in politics started as a legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, D-Texas, and progressed through a term as secretary of state for Texas while Ann Richards was governor. Before being appointed trade representative by President Obama, Kirk lost a U.S. Senate election to John Cornyn. He also has worked as an attorney in various public and private roles.