History of Jay Timmons in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 7, 2025

Jay Timmons is the president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), a prominent manufacturing trade association in the U.S., since 2011. Before his role at NAM, Timmons held key positions in the political arena, including Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and Chief of Staff to the Governor of Virginia, George Allen. His career demonstrates experience in both government and industry advocacy, solidifying his position as an influential figure in the manufacturing sector and public policy.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1979: Introduction of HB 1979

HB 1979 was introduced to replace 'husband' and 'wife' with 'spouse', allowed single people to use gestational surrogates, clarified surrogacy contract rules, and eliminated the need for adoption process after birth. The introduction happened in 1979.

1991: Began partnership with Rick Olson

In 1991, Jay Timmons began his partnership with Rick Olson.

1993: Managed George Allen's campaign for Governor of Virginia

In 1993, Jay Timmons successfully managed George Allen's campaign for Governor of Virginia.

1994: Chief of Staff to Governor Allen

In 1994, Jay Timmons was appointed Chief of Staff to Governor George Allen, overseeing economic and legislative policy in Virginia.

1998: Continued as Chief of Staff to Governor Allen

Jay Timmons continued to serve as Chief of Staff to Governor Allen through 1998, focusing on economic and legislative policy in Virginia.

2000: Led Allen's U.S. Senate Campaign

In 2000, Jay Timmons led George Allen’s U.S. Senate campaign, helping to secure a Republican victory.

2002: Executive Director of the NRSC

In 2002, Jay Timmons became the Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).

2004: Outed as gay

In 2004, Jay Timmons was outed as gay by Michael Rogers and John Aravosis.

2004: Key role in 2004 elections

In 2004, as Executive Director of the NRSC, Jay Timmons played a key role in the midterm elections, which resulted in Republicans gaining four additional Senate seats.

2005: Joined NAM as Senior Vice President

In 2005, Jay Timmons joined the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) as Senior Vice President for Policy and Government Relations.

2008: Married Rick Olson

In 2008, Jay Timmons married Rick Olson.

2011: President and CEO of NAM

In 2011, Jay Timmons became the president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), which is the largest manufacturing trade association in the United States.

June 2015: Granted interim parental rights in Wisconsin

In June 2015, Jay Timmons and Rick Olson were granted interim parental rights in Wisconsin for their child born via surrogacy.

August 2015: Child born via surrogacy

In August 2015, Jay Timmons and Rick Olson's child was born via surrogacy in Wisconsin.

2016: Parental rights reaffirmed

In 2016, after a legal battle, a new judge reaffirmed Jay Timmons and Rick Olson's parental rights after the previous judge revoked them.

March 2017: Visited White House, expressed support for Trump's policies

In March 2017, Jay Timmons visited the White House and expressed that manufacturers felt the country had returned to the right track due to the focus on taxes, regulations, and infrastructure investment under the Trump administration.

October 6, 2017: Attended Manufacturing Day photo op with Trump

On Manufacturing Day, October 6, 2017, Jay Timmons joined President Trump and others in the Oval Office for a photo opportunity behind the Resolute Desk.

2017: Supported Trump's Manufacturing Agenda

In 2017, following Donald Trump's election, Jay Timmons and the NAM supported Trump's manufacturing agenda and worked with the White House on tax cuts, regulatory relief, and manufacturing investment incentives.

June 2019: Jacob's Law signed into law

In June 2019, "Jacob's Law" (HB 1979) was signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam after passing the Republican-controlled Virginia legislature, with advocacy by Jay Timmons and George Allen.

April 2020: Opposed Reopening Protests

In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jay Timmons opposed protests calling for reopening the economy, commenting on Facebook that such protestors were "IDIOTS" and promoted widespread masking.

December 2020: Father died of COVID-19

In December 2020, Jay Timmons' 88-year-old father died of COVID-19, leading Timmons to express that his father might have lived if people had been more cautious about the virus.

2020: Called for Trump's removal after January 6 riot

In 2020, after the presidential election and during the January 6 riot at the Capitol, Jay Timmons condemned the action and called for President Trump's removal, urging Vice President Mike Pence to consider invoking the 25th amendment.