Ed Gillespie

Senior Executive Vice President – External and Legislative Affairs AT&T

Last Reviewed: October 1, 2026

Executive Summary

Ed Gillespie has led AT&T’s external and legislative affairs as a Senior Executive Vice President since April 2020. He came to AT&T from a career in politics and public affairs: he was Counselor to President George W. Bush from 2007 to 2009, founded the consultancy Ed Gillespie Strategies, which he led until 2016, and was a managing director at communications firm Sard Verbinnen & Co. from 2018. AT&T ranked No. 35 on the 2026 Fortune 500.

Career Highlights

• Senior Executive Vice President – External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T Services, since April 2020.
• Managing Director, Sard Verbinnen & Co., 2018 to 2020.
• Founder and Principal, Ed Gillespie Strategies, 2009 to 2016.
• Counselor to the President, 2007 to 2009.

Professional Journey

Gillespie served as Counselor to President George W. Bush in the Executive Office of the President from July 2007 to January 2009.

He founded Ed Gillespie Strategies in February 2009 and led it until December 2016, and was a managing director at Sard Verbinnen & Co. from June 2018.

He joined AT&T in April 2020 as Senior Executive Vice President of External and Legislative Affairs.

Education

No first-party source read for this profile states his education.