George Gibbs Center for Economic Prosperity at The James Madison Institute. In this role, he works with a wide variety of business leaders, policymakers, researchers, and free-market partners & stakeholders to promote market-based policies grounded in the principles of limited government, free-market capitalism, and individual freedoms.
Most recently, Wheeler served as President of D. Wheeler Strategies, a full-service public affairs firm providing strategic consulting services in the areas of local, state, and federal government affairs, brand & business development, communications, and strategic planning.
Wheeler also served as President & CEO of the Florida Ports Council (FPC), a nonprofit corporation that serves as the professional association for Florida’s 15 public deep-water seaports and their management. The FPC provides leadership, advocacy, and information on seaport-related issues before the Legislative and Executive Branches of State and Federal Government. During his more than 10 years leading the Council, he facilitated increases in infrastructure funding for seaports, led multiple international trade missions to expand Florida’s presence globally, and grew the global brand and advocacy efforts of Florida’s seaports.
Wheeler has more than 25 years of governmental affairs and association leadership at both the state and federal levels. He has also previously served as Vice President with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, where, under Wheeler’s leadership and management of the Florida Chamber’s federation of businesses, associations, and local chambers of commerce – encompassing more than 130,000 grassroots members – the Chamber worked aggressively and effectively to represent the free-market interests of Florida’s business community.
Previously, he also served as the Southeast Political Manager for Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), covering local Chapters across seven southeastern states. There, he worked across all areas of political affairs, primarily at the federal level, including candidate outreach, lobbying, fundraising, and grassroots advocacy.
Wheeler serves as an Executive Committee and Board Member of the Economic Club of Florida; Board member of the Network of Entrepreneurs & Business Advocates; Is a graduate of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship – Small Business Executive Program; and a Leon County Honorary Sheriff’s Deputy. Doug is a graduate of The Florida State University with a degree in Political Science, with an emphasis in Political Communications, and currently lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with his wife, Ami, and their two children.
