Former press secretary Robert Gibbs will headline College Democrat’s annual kick-off event on Sept. 20.

Gibbs, who served as President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign director and press secretary from January 2009 to February 2011, will speak at Betts Theater in the Marvin Center at 7:15 p.m.

Gibbs has been a top consultant for Obama since the president’s first senate race in 2004. Gibbs stepped down from his post as press secretary earlier this year to focus on the 2012 race.  The Alabama-native also served as the press secretary for John Kerry’s presidential bid in 2004.

Doors will open at 6:30 and the event will be open to all students, College Democrats communicators director, Shiah Shahmohammadi, said.