Meet George McElwee 
IIUSA’s Representative on Capitol Hill
Last month, IIUSA was proud to bring on the newest member of its government affairs team, George McElwee. George’s impressive tenure on Capitol Hill and in Washington, D.C. gives IIUSA a fresh prospective of how it and the EB-5 industry can move forward to reauthorize, reform, and expand the Program. Members of IIUSA’s Leadership Council will hear from George and Policy Director, Nicole Merlene, on a biweekly basis with up to date information about IIUSA’s federal efforts. Email us to learn more about joining IIUSA Leadership at info@iiusa.org.
From 2005 to 2013, George served as Chief of Staff to Republican Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15). With a reputation of cooperation and diligence, George was elected in 2009 by his peers to serve as President of the House Chiefs of Staff Association—a bipartisan association of almost 500 chiefs of staff and committee staff directors. George held the position for three years, becoming the longest serving president in the association’s 36-years.
Following is term on Capitol Hill, George was the chief lobbyist to the Organization for International Investment (OFII) and represented more than 160 United States subsidiaries of leading global companies at federal and state level. As Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs, George advised association members and policy makers on Buy America, corporate inversions, corporate tax, international trade agreements, and tax treaties. George strategically expanded OFII’s advocacy presence with Congress, the Administration, and state and local governments.
While at OFII, George worked with Congressmen Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Jim Moran (D-VA) to establish the first Congressional caucus devoted solely to promoting the benefits of foreign direct investment in the United States – the American Global Investment Caucus.
A commissioned officer in the United States Navy Reserve, George is a public affairs officer assigned to U.S. Navy Chief of Information (CHINFO), Pentagon. His previous assignments include Flag Assistant to the Vice Chief of Information, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Command, and Navy Public Affairs Support Element (NPASE) East. George was recently selected for promotion to Lieutenant Commander.
George holds a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies from the College of International Security Affairs, National Defense University; a Graduate Certificate in PACs and Political Management from the Graduate School of Political Management, George Washington University; Joint Professional Military Education, Phase I from Air Command and Staff College, Air University; a graduate of Public Affairs Qualification Course from Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade; a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania; and studied at Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA.
