Jill E. Kent, of Washington D.C. and McDaniel, Maryland, passed away unexpectedly on July 28, 2022, at the age of 74.
Above all, Jill lived a life of service, accomplishment, and loving kindness toward everyone.
Jill, a native of Detroit, Michigan, began her government career in the Vista programs, moving to the executive office of the President and, later, to the Department of Treasury where President Ronald Reagan appointed her as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Finance and Management. President George H.W. Bush then appointed her the first Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. State Department. In addition, she served as Acting Under Secretary of State for Management. Her State Department assignments were featured in the Prune Book, being among the most difficult in the federal government.
After leaving government, Jill worked with the George Washington University (GWU) Health System as its Chief Financial Officer. After GWU closed its medical center, Jill became CEO of Atlantic Threadworks Inc., a promotional products company in Annapolis, MD. She then earned a degree in appraisal and connoisseurship studies and was active in recent years as a fine arts and personal property appraiser and owner of the Educated Eye Appraisals and Frogeye Company Antiques.
A noted author, Jill received the National Best Authors Award for her work “Folk Art for Appraisers.” Her other awards included distinguished service awards from the Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, and the Association of Government Accountants for her authorship of a work on the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990. She was named one of the Top 40 Performers Under 40 by Management Magazine and was a lecturer on various topics at the University of Maryland and George Washington University. For her work with the elderly, she was named Volunteer of the Year by Arlington County, Virginia.
Jill served on the board and as an officer of the China Foundation, which provided health and educational services to the poorest rural communities in China. She was the official reporter of several major programs in Beijing and Taipei addressing public health issues in modern China. She also served on the Board and as an Executive Committee member of the Washington Bach Consort, the Rotary Club of Washington, and other charitable institutions, and was active with the Ronald Reagan Institute which selected her to present in the 40 at 40 Program recalling her years working in the Reagan Administration and its accomplishments.
Past president of Executive Women in Government, Jill was also active with THIS for diplomats, a service organization assisting diplomatic families adjusting to life in the US.
Jill received a Bachelor’s degree in art history and classical studies from the University of Michigan, and her law degree and Master’s Degree in Taxation from George Washington University.
Jill is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Mark E. Solomons of Washington, DC, and McDaniel, Maryland; her mother Grace Kent and sister and brother-in-law Joan and Dan Kvitka, all of Portland, OR; and many dear friends throughout the world. She was predeceased by her father, Sy Kent.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Rotary Foundation of Washington D.C. in memory of Jill E. Kent, 1135 16th St. N.W, Washington, DC 20036
A Memorial Service will be held at Temple B’Nai Israel, Easton, Maryland, October 9, 2022, at 1:30 p.m., in-person and by Zoom.
Published by The Washington Post on Aug. 28, 2022.
