James S. Gilmore, III

JAMES S. GILMORE III is a former Governor of Virginia and a Partner at the law firm of Kelley Drye and Warren (www.kelleydrye.com). He is practicing corporate and technology law and providing advice to clients on homeland security issues in the areas of public relations, information technology and international relations. Mr. Gilmore is also president of USA Secure, a homeland security public policy think tank based in Washington , DC (www.usasecure.org). He is also fluent in German.

Jim Gilmore was born on October 6, 1949 and raised in Richmond , Virginia . He received an undergraduate degree in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia in 1971. After a three-year tour as a U.S. Army counterintelligence agent in West Germany , he entered the University of Virginia Law School, graduating in 1977. After working for a decade in community service and as a lawyer in private practice, he was elected Commonwealth's Attorney in his home county of Henrico in 1987 and 1991.

He was elected Virginia Attorney General in 1993 and Governor in 1997. As Governor, he established a record of success in improving education in Virginia and providing tax relief to Virginia 's working families. Governor Gilmore led the successful implementation of rigorous new academic standards and testing to ensure students are learning and that teachers and school administrators are being held accountable. Governor Gilmore had a solid record of cutting taxes. In the first two years of his administration, he enacted more than a dozen tax cuts, led by the virtual elimination of Virginia 's personal property tax on cars and trucks – the largest tax cut in the state's history. He also cut income taxes for military personnel living in Virginia , lowered college tuition by 20 percent, and eliminated Virginia 's tax on prescription drugs.

Former Governor Gilmore created the nation's first secretariat of technology, established a statewide technology commission, and signed into law the nation's first comprehensive state Internet policy. During his term as Governor of Virginia, he chaired the national Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce which was charged with making recommendations to Congress on Internet taxation, an issue of global significance. The E-Commerce Commission opposed taxation of the Internet. As Governor, he placed great emphasis on economic development. He conducted trade missions to the U.K. , Germany , Brazil , Argentina , Chile , Japan , Taiwan , South Korea and Hong Kong .

While Governor, Jim Gilmore served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association.

Former Governor Gilmore was Chairman of the Congressional Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction, also known as the “Gilmore Commission.” This national panel was established by Congress to assess federal, state, and local governments' capability to respond to the consequences of a terrorist attack. The panel submitted its findings to the President and Congress every December 15th since 1999. The final report was submitted on Dec. 15, 2003 . This Commission was very influential in developing the Department of Homeland Security. 125 Gilmore Commission recommendations were adopted by the Congress and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

In 2003, President George W. Bush appointed Jim Gilmore to the Air Force Academy Board of Visitors and he was elected Chairman of the Air Force Board in the Fall of 2003. Mr. Gilmore serves on the corporate boards of the following companies: Barr Laboratories, Lucent Technologies, IDT Corporation, and Atlas Airlines. Jim Gilmore is a senior consultant to Computer Sciences Corporation and Battelle Memorial Institute regarding homeland security initiatives.