L. Gil White

Government Relations Coordinator - West Virginia

Biography

Gil White builds strong relationships to support everything he does. His ability to communicate across party lines combined with his ability to customize action plans to suit client needs sets him apart. He quickly adapts to changing conditions and keeps clients updated on progress in real time. White’s 14 years serving as an elected member of the West Virginia State Legislature and his experience as the political liaison to then Governor, now United States Senator, Joe Manchin III provide invaluable knowledge and relationships. He has developed and executed legislative strategies for West Virginia state agencies and departments and lobbied for the passage of bills on a wide range of topics from economic development to environmental and energy concerns. White frequently writes for news outlets within the state and authors the Steptoe & Johnson West Virginia Legislative Brief, a weekly digest of happenings in the West Virginia Legislature. Along with members of the firm’s Government Relations & Lobbying team, White assists clients in advocacy, appropriations, bill drafting, monitoring and lobbying, fundraising, state government procurement, issue management, Political Action Committees, strategic planning, and communications.

Representative Experience

Maneuver legislation through the mine fields of the legislative process
Developed and executed legislative strategies for various West Virginia state agencies and departments
Guided and maneuvered the Governor’s legislative agenda through the West Virginia Legislature and interim committee process
Lobbied for the passage of bills on a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, economic development, health care, gaming, taxation, workers’ compensation, banking and insurance, environmental concerns and energy
Lobby Executive Branch agencies and state and local governments
Examine and monitor legislation
Develop legislation to move our clients’ agenda forward
Schedule meetings and presentations with legislators and administration officials
Prepare clients for testimony before committees
Shepherd grants through state and federal agencies
Build grass root support for our clients’ projects
Provide advice and strategies to encourage passage of major program legislation

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Education

B.A. Duquesne University

Memberships

Council on Small Business, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Government Relations Committee
Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce
Graduate, “Emerging Political Leaders” Darden University, University of Virginia 1994
Graduate, National Republican Congressional Committee, Campaign Academy 1985
Former seven-term member, West Virginia State Legislature
Former member, West Virginia State Ethics Commission
Minority Chair, House Banking and Insurance Committee, West Virginia State Legislature
Member, House Finance Committee, West Virginia State Legislature
Member, Political Subdivisions Committee, West Virginia State Legislature
American Council of Young Political Leaders

Speaking Engagements

Quoted in “COVID-19 Concern Remains Prevalent in West Virginia Business Community,” WVNews, August 29, 2021
Quoted in “Small Business Leader Urges Support of Small Business during Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday,” WV MetroNews, July 27, 2021
“National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in West Virginia,” WVFA Mountain State Forestry, Winter 2018-2019
“Survey: Small Business Optimism Strong,” The Herald-Dispatch, January 10, 2019
“With His Minimum Wage Vote, Manchin Saved WV Jobs,” Charleston Gazette-Mail Letter to the Editor, March 17, 2021
“New Survey Says Now is a Good Time to Expand Your Business,” The State Journal, March 12, 2018
Quoted in “More West Virginia Business Groups Come Out Against Gov. Jim Justice’s Income Tax Cut Plan,” WVNews, March 17, 2021
Quoted in “Chambers, Bankers, Independent Businesses State Concerns with Big Tax Plan,” MetroNews, March 16, 2021.
Author of the Steptoe & Johnson West Virginia Legislative Brief, a weekly digest of happenings in the West Virginia Legislature

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