George David Banks

Dave Banks is an economist, political analyst, and policy advocate, focusing on climate change, energy, and trade. He is Chief Strategist for the Republican side of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Banks has published peer-reviewed articles, reports, and opinion editorials on a variety of issues, including climate change, civil nuclear power, and energy markets and trade.

A native southeast Missourian, Banks was most recently an adjunct research scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy and Executive Vice President at the DC-based American Council on Capital Formation. He was also President Donald Trump’s Special Assistant for International Energy and Environment at the National Economic and National Security Councils, Republican deputy staff director of the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, Senior Advisor on International Affairs and Climate Change for President George W. Bush, a State Department foreign service officer, and CIA economic analyst.

During his government tenure, Banks received multiple meritorious awards, including the EPA Climate Protection Award for Diplomacy, a Department of State Superior Honor Award for promoting U.S. diplomatic objectives for the environment, and a Commendable Service Award from the Central Intelligence Agency. He holds a JD from George Mason University and a MA in economics and baccalaureate degrees in history, economics, and political science from the University of Missouri at St. Louis.