Advisory Council

Richard Gephardt

President & Chief Executive Officer, Gephardt Government Affairs

Richard A. Gephardt is President and CEO of Gephardt Group Government Affairs. He provides strategic advice to clients on issues before the House, Senate, and Executive Branch in the federal government. Gephardt has brought successful resolution for clients on issues related to negotiations, crisis management, and strategic communications. He represents a broad array of Fortune 100 clients on Capitol Hill and before the Administration, in addition to serving as public spokesperson for clients on coalitions to bring about policy solutions to healthcare reform and climate change.

Gephardt served for 28 years in the United States House of Representatives from 1976 to 2004, representing Missouri's 3rd Congressional District, home to his birthplace, St. Louis. In his role as Leader, Gephardt emerged as one of the leading strategists of the Democratic Party's platform and chief architect to landmark reforms ranging from healthcare, pensions, education, energy independence, and trade policy. In his first year in Congress, he was appointed to both the House Ways & Means and Budget Committees. He was elected to serve as House Democratic Leader for more than 14 years, as House Majority Leader from 1989 to 1995 and Minority Leader from 1995 to 2003.

Gephardt was a colleague in the House to 49 currently serving U.S. Senators and members of the Executive Branch. He enjoys strong bipartisan relationships in the House of Representatives, serves as a trusted advisor to senior officials in the Administration and on Capitol Hill, and has counseled numerous CEOs during negotiations with labor. He has been featured in national publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, National Journal, Roll Call, The Hill, and Time.

Widely known for his advocacy for international human rights, Gephardt currently serves as Chairman of the National Endowment for Democracy, a private, nonprofit organization that endeavors to strengthen democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts. He is a member of The Council on Foreign Relations and an Advisory Board member to the International Conservation Caucus Foundation. He also serves as Advisory Board chairman at the Richard A. Gephardt Institute for Public Service at Washington University in St. Louis, and the Library and Research Center of the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis recently opened The Richard A. Gephardt Collection to represent the life and career of his tenure in Congress.

Gephardt began his career in public service in 1968 as a Precinct Captain to St. Louis' 14th ward. From 1971 to 1976, he served as Alderman for the city's 14th ward. In 1976, he was elected to the U.S. Congress, succeeding 24-year incumbent Leonor Sullivan.

Gephardt earned his bachelor of science from Northwestern University in 1962 and his juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School in 1965. He has been married to his wife, Jane, for 38 years and they have three children — Matt, Chrissy and Kate.