June 16, 2009

Former US Senator and Governor of Virginia George Allen joins the Hillsdale Group Board of Directors.

George F. Allen served the Commonwealth of Virginia for over twenty years, as Governor, in both bodies of the United States Congress, and as a Delegate holding Thomas Jefferson’s seat in the Virginia General Assembly.

Sworn in as Governor in 1994 George Allen brought sweeping reform that made Virginia a national model in economic development, public safety, education accountability, and creative government. As a self-described “Common Sense Jeffersonian Conservative,” Allen pushed through cutting edge reform with bipartisan support. 

Elected to the United States Senate in 2000, George Allen continued to advocate policies to make America and Virginia a leader in innovation and technology. In 2001, he was appointed Chairman of the Senate High Tech Task Force and later in his term he created the Competitive Caucus to keep America the “world capital of innovation”. He also founded the Nanotechnology Caucus with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). Allen was a member on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee as well as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Subcommittee on European Affairs. Senator Allen was one of the key members of the US Senate who championed the US - India Civilian Nuclear deal.

Senator Allen was unanimously elected a member of the Senate Republican Leadership as Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2002. Under Senator Allen’s leadership, Republicans gained four seats in the Senate and expanded the Republican majority to 55-44-1.

Currently, George Allen is President of George Allen Strategies, LLC, and serves on the Board of Directors of Lee Technologies. Governor Allen is the Reagan Ranch Presidential Scholar for the Young America’s Foundation.

As Governor, Allen also funded the School of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University and serves on its Foundation Board of Trustees, and he founded the Appalachian School of Law and serves on its Board of Trustees. Governor Allen also serves as the Virginia Chairman of Communities in Schools.

Governor Allen served as National Co-Chairman of Fred Thompson’s Presidential Campaign and as an advisor to and surrogate for John McCain’s Presidential Campaign on Economic Competitiveness and American Energy Security as well as Nanotechnology.

Governor Allen also served as the Chairman of the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, which supported Senate candidates who wished to protect private ballots in unionization voting.

George Allen holds a B.A. degree “with distinction” in History, as well as a law degree from the University of Virginia. He played on the football and rugby teams throughout his time at UVA. Allen was named All-ACC Academic Team, Quarterback in 1972. He and his wife, Susan, reside near Mt. Vernon in Fairfax County with their three children: Tyler, Forrest, and Brooke.