James S. Gilmore, III, Esq., former Governor of Virginia (1998-2002), is a partner in the law firm of Kelley, Drye & Warren. His practice focuses on corporate and technology law, as well as advising clients on homeland security issues in the areas of public relations, information technology and international relations. Gilmore is also President of USA Secure, a homeland security public policy think tank based in Washington, DC. After working for a decade as a lawyer in private practice in, Gilmore was elected Commonwealth's Attorney in his home county of Henrico in 1987; he was elected Virginia Attorney General in 1993.
As Governor, Gilmore established a record of success in improving education in Virginia and providing tax relief to Virginia's working families. He also created the nation's first secretariat of technology, established a statewide technology commission, signed into law the nation's first comprehensive state Internet policy and chaired the national Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce.
Following his tenure as Governor, Gilmore chaired the Congressional Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction, also known as the "Gilmore Commission," established by Congress to assess federal, state, and local governments' capability to respond to the consequences of a terrorist attack.
Gilmore later served as Chair of the Republican National Committee (2001-2002). In 2003, President George W. Bush appointed him to the Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, where he was elected Chair. He earned his bachelor's degree from University of Virginia and, following a three-year tour as a U.S. Army counterintelligence agent in West Germany, his J.D. from the Virginia Law School.