Former U.S. Representative Nick Rahall is a member of the Advisory Board at Gulf International Forum. Rep. Rahall represented West Virginia’s Third Congressional District. He served on both the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Public Works Committee for all 19 consecutive terms he served in the U.S. House of Representatives. He held the position of Ranking Member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and served as Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee from 2007 through 2011.

First elected in 1976, Former Representative Rahall is distinguished as the youngest-elected, longest-serving member in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives. As the longest-serving member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he played a leading role in every federal highway debate during his 38-year career.

Nick Rahall worked tirelessly to build and repair the nation’s highways, bridges, and ports, modernize thousands of airports, and provide critical water, sewer systems, and flood control projects throughout West Virginia and across the nation.

As Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, Nick Rahall worked on issues close to the hearts of many West Virginians, such as preserving the state’s rich coal history and jobs, expanding tourism opportunities, and protecting hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities. Through his leadership and close cooperation with the National Park System, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a wide variety of stakeholders, he helped preserve and safeguard special places across the nation for future generations. He strove to honor the Committee’s charge of serving the natural environment, wild lands, scenic vistas, fish and wildlife, tribal sovereignty, and the American public.

Nick Rahall’s reputation for working across party lines to get the job done was well known, earning him deep respect and frequent cooperation from his colleagues in Congress across the political spectrum.

Using his experience as owner and operator of Mountaineer Tour & Travel Agency before his election to Congress, Nick Rahall served on the Executive Committee of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus. This allowed him the opportunity to work closely with all sectors of the domestic and offshore tourism industry.

Always advocating for U.S. interests, he traveled extensively in the Middle East, meeting with kings, queens, princes, and presidents to urge and facilitate peace. In recognition of his efforts, he received the Philip C. Habib Distinguished Public Service Award in 1993 and the Najeeb Halaby Public Service Award in 2004, which was presented to him by Queen Noor of Jordan.

Prior to his career in the U.S. House of Representatives, Nick Rahall owned and operated Mountaineer Tour & Travel Agency, partnered with his late father on various business interests including Rahall Communications Corporation, and served as a top aide to his lifelong mentor, the late U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd.

Nick Rahall is married to the former Melinda Ross of Ashland, Kentucky, and has three children—Rebecca Rahall Parker, Nick Joe Rahall III, and Suzanne Rahall—as well as three grandchildren.