Honorable Alan Wheat
Chairman
Alan Wheat graduated from Grinnell College in 1972 and immediately went to work for the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation in Denver, Colorado as an Outdoor Recreation Planner. He moved to Kansas City later that same year to accept a position as an Economist with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 1973 he accepted a similar position at the Mid-America Regional Council. In 1974 he left his position for a period of unemployment followed by his best job ever as a driver for Yellow Cab. He left Yellow Cab to become an aide to Jackson County Legislator Harold L. Holliday Jr.
In 1976 he ran for and won a seat in the Missouri House of Representatives. He served in the Missouri General Assembly from 1977 to 1982 representing the 26th District, located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri. As a new member of the legislature he was selected as the “Best Freshmen Legislator.” In succeeding terms he was selected as one of Missouri’s “Ten Best Legislators”. When Congressman Richard Walker Bolling chose to retire in 1982, Wheat ran for the position, won the Democratic primary and went on to win the general election to succeed Bolling.
Congressman Wheat made history becoming the youngest African-American ever elected to Congress and one of the nation's first African-Americans to represent a district with a majority white population. After election to the United States House of Representatives he quickly became part of the House leadership as the youngest member of Congress to be appointed to the powerful Rules Committee. As every major piece of legislation must go through the Rules Committee before it can go to the House floor, Congressman Wheat was able to influence all major bills considered by the House.
His work on the Rules Committee also allowed him to develop an extensive and bipartisan network of contacts in Washington. He proved his skills as a strong political leader serving in later terms as a Chief Deputy Whip. The Wall Street Journal hailed Congressman Wheat as a "political star" and Time Magazine pointed to him as a "bright and able leader for the new generation of African-American elected officials."
Congressman Wheat left the House in 1994 to run for a seat in the United States Senate. He was the first minority candidate selected as a major party nominee for statewide office in Missouri. After his unsuccessful Senate race, Mr. Wheat accepted the position of vice president of Public Policy and Government Relations with CARE, one of the largest and most vital global relief and development organizations. He remains associated with CARE, having served as a member of its board of directors for nine years and serving on its advisory board today.
In 1996, President Clinton called on former Congressman Wheat to assist in his re-election campaign. He was named Deputy Campaign Manager and Director of Public Liaison for Clinton-Gore '96 where he developed and executed plans that mobilized more than twenty essential constituency groups to support the president's re-election. In addition, he traveled across the country as a spokesperson for the president and vice president.
In 1997, Mr. Wheat formed Wheat Government Relations. With his extensive knowledge of the legislative process and ability to build bipartisan support, the firm established a proven record of accomplishment delivering results for its clients.
In 2013, Mr. Wheat became the Chairman of Public Policy at Polsinelli, a national law firm. In 2021 he and Julie Shroyer formed Wheat Shroyer Government Relations, a bi-partisan firm advising clients with a focus on public service. He currently resides in Bethesda, MD and is the father of three young adults.