Michael E. Thomas Sr. VP, Gov. Relations McGuireWoods Consulting LLC

Mike provides senior-level insight to our clients on legislative, regulatory or administrative issues at the state and local level in Virginia and in other states focuses his practice on government relations, grassroots/grasstops, issues management and technology matters.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Mike served as state director and chief of staff for U.S. Senator George Allen. As state director, he managed the staff and five regional offices throughout the Commonwealth and worked with individuals, businesses, state and local government organizations, and others that needed help with federal government agencies or programs, or who wished to affect the legislative process.

Mike served in state government from 1998-2001 as the director of the Virginia Department of Information Technology (DIT) (now known as VITA). DIT was the state agency which provided telecommunications and data processing services to state agencies and institutions, and to many of Virginia’s local governments and school systems. From 1998-2000, he also served a transitional role as Virginia’s first Deputy Secretary of Technology.

From 1994-1998, he served as secretary of administration in then-Governor George Allen’s cabinet. He was responsible for thirteen state agencies, including the Department of Information Technology, the Council on Information Management, the Department of General Services and the Department of Personnel and Training. Prior to this, Mike was campaign manager for the successful George Allen for Governor campaign and served as transition director for Governor Allen in the months preceding the inauguration.

Mike has been an aide over the years to U.S. Senator Paul Trible, U.S. Senator John Warner, and Congressman Tom Bliley and has helped organize and manage grassroots operations for dozens of state, local and federal elected officials and candidates.