David Wilhelm

David Wilhelm (born 2 October, 1956) is an American political operative and businessman. A native of Appalachian Ohio, Wilhelm focuses on spurring sustainable economic growth in rural areas. He is the founder and president of Woodland Venture Management, one of the nation's leading sources of venture capital in regions of the country that lie between the coasts and are ignored by most investors.

Related Topics:
2 October - 1956 - Ohio - Economic growth - Venture capital

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Adena Ventures, Woodland's first fund, focuses on businesses in central Appalachia, a region that historically has been left behind as the nation has prospered. The Small Business Administration designated Adena the nation's first New Markets Venture Capital Company.

Related Topics:
Appalachia - Small Business Administration

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Hopewell Ventures is Woodland's second fund and targets the Midwest. A region stretching from Pittsburgh on the east to Omaha on the west, the Midwest receives less venture capital financing than the city of San Diego alone. Hopewell aims to close that gap.

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Wilhelm gained national prominence as the campaign manager for Bill Clinton's presidential run in 1992. Wilhelm oversaw the operation, serving as the campaign's authority on staffing, managing personnel, politics, electoral college strategy, field, and state outreach. He also spearheaded the bus tour through the heartland that followed the Democratic National Convention.

Related Topics:
Campaign manager - Bill Clinton - Electoral college - Democratic National Convention

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Wilhelm's role was complemented by strategists such as James Carville and George Stephanopoulos, who were in charge of communications. Eli Siegel and Mickey Kantor also played leading roles.

Related Topics:
James Carville - George Stephanopoulos - Communications - Eli Siegel - Mickey Kantor

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After the election, President-elect Clinton named Wilhelm to serve as chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), making Wilhelm the youngest person to head a national party in American history. Wilhelm's priority at the DNC was to strengthen the party's grassroots by promoting White House initiatives at the state and local level.

Related Topics:
Democratic National Committee - Grassroots - White House

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Throughout his career, Wilhelm has managed the campaigns of Senator Paul Simon, Senator Joe Biden, Governor Rod Blagojevich, and Mayor Richard Daley. In 2002, Wilhelm directed Blagojevich?s transition to the Governor?s office. Wilhelm also served as chair of the Illinois presidential campaign of John Kerry and John Edwards in 2004.

Related Topics:
Joe Biden - Rod Blagojevich - Richard Daley - Illinois - John Kerry - John Edwards

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Wilhelm is a founder of two consulting companies based in Chicago: Wilhelm & Conlon Public Strategies, a public affairs firm, and the Strategy Group, which supports Democratic candidates. He is no longer affiliated with either company. Earlier in his career, Wilhelm served as Executive Director of Citizens for Tax Justice, a public interest group that advocates for middle- and lower-income families.

Related Topics:
Consulting - Chicago

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Wilhelm has a B.A. from Ohio University, a Master in Public Policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and honorary doctorates from Ohio University and the University of Charleston.

Related Topics:
Ohio University - Public Policy - Harvard - Kennedy School of Government - University of Charleston

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