David Rubenstein to be Kennedy Center's chairman

[March 04, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Carlyle Group co-founder David M. Rubenstein has been named the sixth chairman of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Rubenstein was elected Wednesday to oversee the center's finances beginning in May. He also sits on the boards of the Smithsonian Institution and New York's Lincoln Center, as well as Duke University and others.

Washington-based Carlyle Group is one of the biggest U.S. private equity firms. Rubenstein is managing director of the firm. He previously practiced law and was an assistant to President Jimmy Carter.

Rubenstein says President Kennedy inspired him to go into public service. He says the arts are unifying, especially when Washington is divided by partisan politics.

He succeeds Stephen Schwarzman, who has been chairman since May 2004.

[Associated Press; By BRETT ZONGKER]

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