Jerry Weller

Former Congressman Jerry Weller (1995-2009) is Global Development Officer for VIP TV, the leading international IPTV content provider with subscribers in 40 countries. This rapidly growing IPTV broadcaster serves immigrant and diaspora communities globally. Website: www. viptv.com

Elected in the historic class of 1994, Congressman Weller quickly rose in the ranks, serving as Class President and represented this influential group on the powerful House Republican Steering Committee which appointed Members to their Committee assignments. He also served as Deputy House Majority Whip.

During his tenure as on the powerful Ways & Means Committee, Jerry advocated tax policies that fostered investment in job creation while promoting energy independence from imported oil through energy efficiency and alternative energy. His law promoting tax incentives for environmental cleanup and development of abandoned brownfield sites continues to help revitalize blighted communities.

As a leading Member of the Subcommittee on Trade, Jerry effectively made the case that trade helps eliminate poverty and creates jobs. He emerged as a leading advocate for expanded trade with Latin America and helped lead efforts to ratify the DR-CAFTA, Peru, Colombia, South Korea and Panama TPAs and promoted waterway infrastructure investment to expand exports.

Jerry served as Ranking Republican on the Ways & Means Subc. on Income Security & Family Support partnering with his Democratic Chairman to author major reforms to federal adoption and foster care laws, earning recognition from Foster Care, Adoption and Children’s advocacy organizations.

Jerry earned national recognition when he enacted the Illinois Land Conservation Act implementing his plan to redevelop the 24,000 acre Joliet Arsenal into the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, the Abraham Lincoln National Veterans’ Cemetery, and 3,000 acres set aside for industrial development. He secured over $30 million in funding towards infrastructure and development which has since attracted over $ 2 billion in private investment including two of the world's largest intermodal truck-rail cargo facilities.

Jerry is Managing Principal of New World Group Public Affairs LLC, with offices in Washington and West Palm Beach, serves on the Advisory Boards for SG Biofuels and Trend Media City, Nigeria, and Chairs the US-Panama Business Council. He also oversees Round Grove Farms.