Governor Robert F. “Bob” McDonnell, J.D.

Bio

Robert F. (“Bob”) McDonnell served as the 71st Governor of Virginia from 2010 through 2014. He is also a former Virginia Attorney General, state legislator, and retired U.S. Army officer.

Governor McDonnell teaches in the Regent University schools of Law and Government as a Distinguished Professor. He earned his law degree and a master’s degree in public policy from Regent in 1989, a BBA in management from Notre Dame in 1976, and an MSBA in Business Administration from Boston University in 1980.

Governor McDonnell is the founder and President of the McDonnell Group, a firm that focuses on consulting and business development. He rejoined the Virginia Beach law firm Poole Brooke Plumlee PC as Of Counsel. He had practiced law with Poole Brooke Plumlee’s predecessor for 15 years as a litigator and administrative law practitioner.

Governor McDonnell is also a regular contributor on Newsmax TV and is a member of the Board of Directors of Delta Star, Inc. He also serves on several charitable boards, including The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Virginians for Reconciliation, Virginia Beach Sister Cities, Samaritan House Foundation, and others.

Governor McDonnell began his political career in 1991 in the Virginia House of Delegates, where he served for 14 years, representing the 84th District in Virginia Beach. He was elected Attorney General in 2005, serving in that role until his election as governor in 2009. He has been elected by his peers to serve as chairman of both the Republican Attorneys General Association and the Republican Governors Association.

Governor McDonnell has 5 children and 7 grandchildren. He resides in Virginia Beach, VA.