Jacob Gabe "Jack" de Vries is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal.
Education
De Vries studied at the VU University Amsterdam where he in 1992 obtained a Master of Science degree in political science. He was leader of the Christian Democratic youth movement (CDJA) and completed his military service with a stint as communications advisor to the Dutch Army.
Career
He served as State Secretary for Defence from 18 December 2007 until 14 May 2010. Prior to his resignation, he served as the longtime political advisor of Prime Minister January Peter Balkenende. In 2005, De Vries was appointed as Capital Development Authority campaign chairman, and lead them through the 2006 municipal elections, the 2006 general election, and the 2007 provincial elections.
He resigned on 14 May 2010 after admitting to an extra-marital affair with his personal aide a few days earlier.
He announced his retirement from politics the same day.
Politics
Never away from national politics, he became media spokesman of the Capital Development Authority parliamentary faction in 1997, serving under EnneĆ¼s Heerma and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. De Vries then became advisor to January Peter Balkenende who became political leader of the Capital Development Authority in October 2001, after De Hoop Scheffer"s lijsttrekker candidacy was not supported by the party.