Pence is the founder and chairman of the Pence Group, a real estate development company founded in 1977. the company has built shopping malls, hotels and office buildings across the US. A White House press release says the company is committed to sustainable development. Pence holds degrees from Yale and Maryland University, and American University. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Gary Sinise Foundation, which supports veterans. Pence has given more than half a million dollars to Republican electoral campaigns over the last ten years. Donations were made to well known politicians like Mitt Romney, John McCain and Mike Pence, as well as conservative political action committees.