Full Name
Evan H. Jenkins
Job Title
Senior Vice President, Government Affairs
Company
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Speaker Bio
As head of Government Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Evan Jenkins is responsible for developing the strategy and leading the tactical execution of the Chamber’s congressional advocacy efforts, coordinating resources in Washington and around the country, and cultivating partnerships with a broad spectrum of organizations and government officials.
Before joining the Chamber, Jenkins spent four years serving on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and was selected to serve as chief justice for the 2021–2022 calendar year. Jenkins authored more than 70 majority opinions and was involved in the managerial oversight of 1,500 judicial employees. While on the court, he was also instrumental in paving the way for establishing the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals, a new appellate court that began operations in July 2022.
Jenkins’ extensive experience also includes 22 years of serving in the legislative branch. Elected in 2014 and reelected in 2016, Jenkins represented West Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Before that, he served three terms as a senator in the West Virginia Senate and three terms as a delegate in the West Virginia House of Delegates. His legislative leadership earned him numerous awards and recognitions, including the most Pro-Jobs legislator for economic development efforts by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
Earlier in his career, Jenkins served 7 years as general counsel of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and 15 years as executive director of the West Virginia State Medical Association.
Jenkins has served his community through leadership with various charitable organizations, including president and board member of Leadership West Virginia, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State, Ramaco Foundation, and Operation B.E.S.T. (Business and Education Succeeding Together). He also served on the board of the Western West Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Boy Scouts of America (Area Council).
Jenkins received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida and his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three adult children: Evan Jr. (Hollin), a captain in the U.S. Marines; Charles, an attorney with Moore & VanAllen in Charlotte, North Carolina; and Olivia, a senior at the University of Kentucky majoring in finance.
Before joining the Chamber, Jenkins spent four years serving on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and was selected to serve as chief justice for the 2021–2022 calendar year. Jenkins authored more than 70 majority opinions and was involved in the managerial oversight of 1,500 judicial employees. While on the court, he was also instrumental in paving the way for establishing the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals, a new appellate court that began operations in July 2022.
Jenkins’ extensive experience also includes 22 years of serving in the legislative branch. Elected in 2014 and reelected in 2016, Jenkins represented West Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Before that, he served three terms as a senator in the West Virginia Senate and three terms as a delegate in the West Virginia House of Delegates. His legislative leadership earned him numerous awards and recognitions, including the most Pro-Jobs legislator for economic development efforts by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
Earlier in his career, Jenkins served 7 years as general counsel of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and 15 years as executive director of the West Virginia State Medical Association.
Jenkins has served his community through leadership with various charitable organizations, including president and board member of Leadership West Virginia, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State, Ramaco Foundation, and Operation B.E.S.T. (Business and Education Succeeding Together). He also served on the board of the Western West Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Boy Scouts of America (Area Council).
Jenkins received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida and his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three adult children: Evan Jr. (Hollin), a captain in the U.S. Marines; Charles, an attorney with Moore & VanAllen in Charlotte, North Carolina; and Olivia, a senior at the University of Kentucky majoring in finance.
