The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) is pleased to announce the esteemed recipients of the Congressional and Business Leadership Awards, to be honored at the 35th Annual TFAS Scholarship Awards Dinner.
On July 9 in Washington, D.C., TFAS will present U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia with the 2025 TFAS Congressional Leadership Award and Kirk Blalock with the 2025 TFAS Business Leadership Award. Both leaders exemplify a commitment to freedom, opportunity and principled leadership—values at the heart of the TFAS mission.
Honoring U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito: A Trailblazer for West Virginia and Beyond
TFAS is proud to honor U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito for her steadfast commitment to principled leadership, bipartisan cooperation and policies that promote freedom and opportunity. A trailblazer as West Virginia’s first female U.S. Senator, Capito has worked tirelessly to expand access to education, modernize infrastructure, and foster economic development. Her thoughtful approach to governance, rooted in practical solutions and civility, reflects the ideals TFAS instills in its students—courage and ethical leadership.
In 2014, Senator Capito became the first female U.S. Senator in West Virginia’s history and was reelected in 2020 with the largest margin of victory for a Republican in state history – winning more than 70% of the vote and all 55 counties.
She served West Virginia’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for 14 years and was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates for four years prior. Capito decided to run for the U.S. Senate to be an even stronger voice for the Mountain State. She also saw an opportunity to restore order to a Senate stuck in gridlock for far too long. She believes that today’s challenges demand bipartisan solutions and cooperation across the aisle to advance legislation that benefits West Virginia, and the country as a whole.
For the 119th Congress, Capito serves on the Appropriations Committee; the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee as Chairman; and the Rules and Administration Committee. Capito also serves as Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy (RPC) Committee, the fourth highest position in Senate Republican leadership.
Capito has been a member of the Appropriations Committee since she became a Senator in 2015 and currently serves as the Chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, where she oversees funding across a wide range of programs within the U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, Health and Human Services (HHS), and other independent agencies. In addition to her current Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee chairman role, Capito has chaired the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, and the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.
As Chairman of the EPW Committee, Capito is committed to promoting a commonsense regulatory strategy and protecting affordable, reliable energy production; building our nation’s infrastructure and encouraging economic development.
On the Commerce Committee, Capito oversees ways to address many issues that are critical to West Virginia, most notably broadband expansion, which she has been a leading voice on since she came to Congress. This committee assignment allows Capito to continue advocating for improved connectivity in West Virginia.
A lifelong West Virginian, Capito holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Duke University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia. She and her husband Charles L. Capito, Jr. reside in Charleston, West Virginia. They have three adult children: two sons and one daughter, and they also have been blessed with eight grandchildren.
Recognizing Kirk Blalock: Strategic Counsel and Public Policy Advocate
A respected leader in public affairs and a dedicated TFAS supporter, Kirk Blalock is being recognized for his influential role at the intersection of business and government. As managing partner at Fierce Government Relations and a former White House advisor, Blalock exemplifies the values of strategic leadership, civic engagement and service to the free enterprise system. His long-time involvement with TFAS, including his service on the Business and Government Relations Board of Visitors, has directly shaped the next generation of leaders, making him a powerful example of how private sector leadership can strengthen American democracy.
Kirk Blalock joined Fierce Government Relations in 2002 after serving President George W. Bush as special assistant to the President and Deputy Director, White House Office of Public Liaison. He was Bush’s lead staff liaison to the U.S. business community. Since joining Fierce Government Relations, Blalock has focused on firm management and new client development, while providing strategic counsel to Fierce Government Relation’s clients. Before his Presidential appointment, Blalock served in several key positions, including director of external affairs, Philip Morris Companies Inc., special assistant to Chairman Haley Barbour, Republican National Committee and special assistant to U.S. Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander.
He is a long-time member of the Board of Visitors at The Fund for American Studies, a former member of the Board of Governors of the Bryce Harlow Foundation, a member of the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., and co-chairman of St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School $45 million Capital Campaign – Saints Together, Our Campaign for Community. The Stone Mountain, Georgia native is a graduate of Auburn University. He resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Kristen and has two children Maddie and Makin.
The annual TFAS Scholarship Awards Dinner raises vital support for deserving undergraduate students to attend TFAS’s summer Business + Government Relations program. Through eight immersive weeks of classes, lectures, internships and professional development, students learn about both the theoretical and practical interactions between business and government and the importance of becoming ethical leaders grounded in the values of constitutional democracy and free enterprise.
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Become a Sponsor
Support the next generation of leaders by sponsoring the 2025 TFAS Scholarship Awards Dinner. Your support allows deserving, highly qualified students to attend life-changing TFAS programs regardless of their financial situation, and empowers rising leaders to experience Washington, study free enterprise and step into careers of influence.
Sponsorships include complimentary registration(s), VIP seating, priority intern selection and brand recognition. To view sponsor levels and benefits, click the 2025 sponsorship commitment form here.
For more information, please contact:
Kathie Russo, Director of Corporate and Donor Relations – kathie@TFAS.org
Derek Jenks, Director of Development Events and Activities – djenks@TFAS.org