John Hoel is Director, Federal Government Affairs for Altria Client Services Inc. John and the federal team are responsible for all federal legislative and regulatory activity affecting Altria Group, Inc. and its operating companies (Philip Morris USA, John Middleton Cigar Company, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, LLC, Nu Mark, Chateau St, Michelle Wine Estates and Philip Morris Capital Corporation ). The range of issues John manages includes corporate and excise taxes, product regulation and a variety of litigation related legislation. John is also responsible for managing the African American, Hispanic, tobacco grower, and labor outreach.

John joined Altria’s Federal Government Affairs Department in 1996. For three years, John served as a Director in Altria’s State Government Affairs department representing the interests of Philip Morris USA, Kraft Foods and Miller Brewing Company in 14 states. During his time with State Government Affairs, John also served as the lead liaison with the National Association of Attorneys General and the National Governors Association. John returned to Federal Government Affairs in 2003.

Prior to joining Altria, John served as Congressman Bart Gordon’s (D-TN) counsel and Associate Staff on the House Rules Committee from 1990 to 1996.

John received his Juris Doctor in 1990 from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He served as Editor in Chief of the Journal of Dispute Resolution. During law school, John clerked for the Washington office of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. John is a member of the bar in Missouri and Washington, D.C. John received his undergraduate degree in 1984 from Pitzer College in Claremont, California.

John has served on the Board of Directors of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute since 2008. He currently serves as the Chair of the Fundraising Committee and mentor to CHLI’s Global Leaders Program interns and fellows.

John has three children, Jack, Tyler and Porter. They reside in Vienna, Virginia.