Jim Ogsbury

Jim Ogsbury is the Executive Director of the Western Governors’ Association, representing the Governors of 19 western states and 3 Pacific territories.  He was hired by the Governors in 2012, with a charge to rebuild and revitalize the association.  He has since restructured the organization and instituted reforms to better identify and promote the Governors’ bipartisan policy priorities.  In the process, Jim has elevated the profile of Western Governors and re-established the association as a leading voice on Western issues.

The growing influence of Western Governors is reflected in their increased level of engagement with congressional and federal officials, as well as in the enactment into law of various gubernatorial priorities.  Since his arrival at WGA, Jim has overseen the prosecution of various gubernatorial initiatives, including Reimagining the Rural West, the Western Governors’ Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative and the Western Governors’ National Forest and Rangeland Management Initiative.  Under his leadership, direct gubernatorial participation in the programs and activities of the association has substantially increased.

Jim frequently testifies before committees of the U.S. Congress to promote the Governors’ policy priorities and travels across the country to build partnerships and advance the Governors’ agenda.

Jim has over twenty years of experience in creating and implementing bipartisan public policy. Prior to coming to WGA, Jim served as: Legislative Director for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns; Managing Principal of the Washington Office of Triadvocates, an Arizona-based public affairs firm; and of counsel to the law firm of Jones Walker.

A graduate of Harvard College and Arizona State University College of Law, Jim also served as the clerk and staff director for the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.