Vern McKinley (ICPES 84) has been involved with TFAS for more than 25 years. A 1984 alumnus of the Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems (ICPES), McKinley began his time with TFAS interning with the Senate Republican Policy Committee. He has since remained actively involved with the alumni network.

As a TFAS student McKinley says he was lucky to attend lectures by prominent speakers, including Economist Milton Friedman, UN Ambassador Jeanne Kirkpatrick, Defense Secretary Cap Weinberger and Rep. Ron Paul (Texas).

As an intern McKinley helped prepare for the re-election of President Reagan and supported the Senate Republican Policy Committee’s economists in their related projects.

My TFAS internship gave me a leg up after college when looking for a job over other students who did not have the opportunity to get work experience,” said McKinley.

McKinley has stayed involved with TFAS throughout the years, giving back to TFAS financially and, above all, giving back in service. He has volunteered his time to the alumni network and to working with students. In 1989 McKinley sponsored an intern while working at the Federal Reserve, and he also hired two TFAS alumni while an employee at BearingPoint. McKinley also served on the Alumni Council and volunteered as a TFAS mentor for students attending TFAS institutes. He has recruited numerous students for the American Institute on Political and Economic Systems (AIPES) in Prague and helped sponsor international students, giving them the opportunity to attend AIPES.

In January 2012 McKinley published the book Financing Failure: A Century of Bailouts through The Independent Institute. According to McKinley, the book exposes the truth about the financial institution bailouts. In April he spoke to TFAS students, alumni and donors about the book and his experience obtaining information through the Freedom of Information Act.

McKinley resides in Ashburn, Virginia with his wife and two children.