George David Banks
Atlantic Council
Non-Resident Senior Fellow
Dave Banks is an economist, political analyst, and policy advocate, focusing on climate change, energy, and trade. Previous to his post at the Atlantic Council, he worked as Chief Strategist for the Republican side of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Banks has published peer-reviewed articles, reports, and opinion editorials on a variety of issues, including climate change, civil nuclear power, and energy markets and trade. A native southeast Missourian, Banks served as President Donald Trump’s Special Assistant for International Energy and Environment at the National Economic and National Security Councils, Republican deputy staff director of the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, Senior Advisor on International Affairs and Climate Change for President George W. Bush, a State Department foreign service officer, and a CIA economic analyst. During his government tenure, Banks received multiple meritorious awards, including the EPA Climate Protection Award for Diplomacy, a Department of State Superior Honor Award for promoting U.S. diplomatic objectives for the environment, and a Commendable Service Award from the Central Intelligence Agency. He holds a JD from George Mason University and a MA in economics and baccalaureate degrees in history, economics, and political science from the University of Missouri at St. Louis.
