Board of Visitors Biographies
James L. Leonhart
Senior Government Affairs Advisor
DeWitt Ross & Stevens, S.C.
(Madison)
Since 1999 James Leonhart has been affiliated with the law firm of DeWitt Ross & Stevens, S.C., representing clients principally in the areas of telecommunications, biotechnology, taxation and the environment. His previous roles include Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs at AT&T of Wisconsin, administrator in Wisconsin school districts, and an appointed member of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Telecommunications. In 1997 he was a candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
He currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Wisconsin Biotechnology Association (WBA), the trade association of Wisconsin biotechnology companies. The WBA's roles are to develop the image of the Wisconsin biotechnology community as an economic force, expand biotechnology grant and venture funding in Wisconsin, and build public policy support for biotechnology research and technology transfer.
Leonhart serves on the boards of the UW-La Crosse Foundation, UW-Extension Small Business Development Center and Wisconsin Sports Foundation. He has held leadership roles in numerous organizations including the United Way of Dane County, Wisconsin World Trade Center and Badger State Games.
Leonhart holds a bachelor's degree in physical education and chemistry from UW-La Crosse and a master's degree in educational administration from UW-Madison. In 2003 he received the Maurice O. Graff Distinguished Alumni Award from UW-La Crosse.