[5] He went on to earn a degree in political science from Oklahoma State University where he became a member of Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ) Fraternity.

After working on the field staff of the Reagan-Bush campaign in 1984, Allbaugh returned to Oklahoma to help Bellmon win a race for governor in 1986.

In this capacity Allbaugh was a key member of a tight circle of aides, together with Karl Rove and Karen Hughes, that the media dubbed the "Iron Triangle".

[6] After Bush secured the Republican nomination, he chose Dick Cheney to lead the process of screening and selecting a running mate.

[8] The screening process was subsequently called into question when Cheney's Halliburton stock options, along with his sparse voting record in state and local elections, came to light.

[10] After the legal maneuverings played out with Bush prevailing, he named Allbaugh as his nominee to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency on January 4, 2001.

It brought up policy issues that would arise again under Michael D. Brown, Allbaugh's former deputy and FEMA successor, after Hurricane Katrina.

[14] After Tropical Storm Allison hit Texas in June, however, Allbaugh said the budget cuts would affect the agency's ability to respond to future disasters.

Allbaugh explained that this mission, dubbed "homeland defense", would focus on dealing with the effects of such attacks, but not extend to gathering intelligence to prevent them.

[18] The September 11 attacks eventually led to a cabinet reorganization placing FEMA in the newly created Department of Homeland Security and Allbaugh elected to leave the agency.

He and Republican strategist Ed Rogers founded New Bridge Strategies to help clients "evaluate and take advantage of business opportunities in the Middle East following the conclusion of the US-led war in Iraq".

Allbaugh also co-chaired Diligence-Iraq, founded by former CIA and FBI chief William Webster and 40 percent owned by a wealthy Kuwaiti politician, which partnered with New Bridge to advise and provide security for companies doing business there.

Though no longer affiliated with FEMA, Allbaugh traveled to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina to help coordinate private-sector support, according to his spokeswoman.

[28][29] On July 12, 2006, Emergent Biosolutions, maker of an anthrax vaccine under its former name BioPort, announced that Allbaugh joined the board of directors.

In June, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections signed a five-year deal with The GEO Group to house inmates in Lawton that contained a rate increase worth an estimated $2.8 million.

The GEO Group has a history of problems with such improper releases at Lawton, said Allbaugh: "Private prisons do not run their facilities to our standards, but they are supposed to adhere to our operational protocols."