Since assuming the position of vice president in March 1998, Mr. Kovacs has transformed a small division that has focused on a handful of issues and committee meetings into one of the most significant in the institution. Presently, the Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs division initiates and leads complex, multi-dimensional, national issue campaigns for such significant issues as comprehensive energy legislation, the permanent storage of spent nuclear fuel, telecommunications reform, and the systematic application of sound science to the federal regulatory process.
Throughout his tenure at the U.S. Chamber, Kovacs has focused on finding new leadership opportunities for the institution. He pioneered the use of cybercasting for Chamber events in 1998, recruited and assembled the first science team to work in tandem with policy staff to ensure that federal regulations are based on sound science, formed and chaired the Chamber’s Technology Coordinating Group, and helped to develop numerous national coalitions in the areas of environment, energy, regulatory affairs, and technology.
Prior to joining the U.S. Chamber, Kovacs was director of worldwide legal affairs for Sunshine Makers, Inc., manufacturer of the Simple Green line of non-toxic cleaning products. Additionally, Mr. Kovacs held the position of partner in several Washington, D.C. law firms where his practice focused on environmental law.
As for government service, Kovacs served as vice chairman and chairman of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Hazardous Waste Facilities Siting Board, as chief counsel and staff director for the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Transportation and Commerce, and as legislative director and counsel for a member of Congress.
During his tenure as chief counsel, Mr. Kovacs was the primary counsel on two landmark laws that were enacted in a single session of Congress: the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the primary federal law that regulates solid and hazardous waste; and the Rail Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act that reorganized the bankrupt Penn Central Railroad into Conrail, the largest corporate reorganization in the United States at the time.
Mr. Kovacs is a frequent commentator on national environmental, energy, and regulatory issues that impact the business community. He is regularly quoted in the nation’s leading newspapers and appears on talk radio and television as a spokesperson for American business. He is listed in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Emerging Leaders.
Mr. Kovacs holds his law degree from the Ohio State University College of Law and his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Scranton, magna cum laude. « less
Business Positions
Sunshine Makers
Manufacturer of the Simple Green line of non-toxic cleaning...
Other Positions & Memberships
US Chamber of Commerce
Business lobbying group
Consumer Energy Alliance
oil & gas grassroots organization
Education
