Ward has been a trusted advisor and highly respected advocate for our agenda since the beginning of my administration. His commitment to sound tax policy and his bipartisan credibility with legislators has helped enact much-needed improvement to Minnesota’s tax system. I’m grateful for Ward’s exceptional leadership and counsel.”
~ Former Governor Tim Pawlenty
Expertise and Leadership in Public Policy Strategies and Government Affairs
Ward Einess Strategies offers clients a wealth of expertise and leadership in public policy strategies and government affairs. With 20 years of experience in shaping, analyzing, and advancing legislation, Ward Einess has earned bipartisan respect for his collegial approach and keen understanding of complex issues important to Minnesota businesses.
As commissioner of two state agencies and Governor Tim Pawlenty’s senior policy advisor on taxes and business issues, Einess served as an effective, articulate, and tireless advocate for key—often controversial—initiatives. As state revenue commissioner, he advocated for a more competitive tax climate and successfully pushed for the creation of an angel investment credit and enhanced R&D tax credits.
After leaving the administration, Einess quickly became one of the state’s most sought-after new lobbyists. Since 2010, he has designed and managed complex strategies on a range of issues for local governments, small business coalitions and Fortune 500 clients, including Ameriprise Financial Advisors, Best Buy, and General Electric.
Einess began honing his skills in 1993, as a research and legislative analyst for the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus. Although hired by the ranking Republican on the Senate Tax Committee, it wasn’t long before his input and expertise was sought by committee democrats as well.
Einess went on to serve as fiscal policy director for the Minnesota Business Partnership until 2002, when he became the Pawlenty administration’s foremost authority on tax policy. Einess was appointed commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development in 2006, and a year later, assumed the top post at the Department of Revenue.
A licensed attorney, Einess worked as a judicial law clerk before discovering his true calling as an advocate in the political arena. Energized by the “rough-and-tumble” process of law-making, Einess is an avid cyclist who unwinds in the summer months by riding up to 200 miles a week.
Einess serves on the board of directors for the Citizens League and Minnesota Taxpayers Association.