Breaking News
Top Headlines

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo To Speak April 20 At Wheeling Chamber Luncheon

By Joselyn King 2 min read
FILE - Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. The State Department says it's paying more than $2 million per month to provide 24-hour security to Pompeo and a former top aide, both of whom face “serious and credible” threats from Iran. That's according to a report sent to Congress last month and obtained by The AP on Saturday, March 12. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

 

WHEELING - Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will serve as keynote speaker at the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce "Lunch With Leaders" event next month.

The luncheon is set for April 20 at Wheeling Park's White Palace. Doors open at 11 a.m. with lunch being served at 12:45 p.m.

The lunchtime event takes place in lieu of the annual chamber dinner that usually happens in April, according to Chamber President Kurt Zende.

"Due to his (Pompeo's) busy schedule, April 20 in the noon time slot was the only time he had available," he said. "Of course when a man of that stature becomes available and has the ability to speak here, you change your format.

"The chamber has had a number of top level speakers over the years, but this probably tops them all. We are extremely excited."

Zende credits U.S. Rep. David B. McKinley for bringing Pompeo to Wheeling.

McKinley and Pompeo, R-Kansas, were both first elected to the U.S. House in 2010. They served together until 2017, when Pompeo was tapped by former President Donald Trump to first be director of the CIA.

Pompeo would be promoted by Trump to U.S. Secretary of State in March 2018.

McKinley and Pompeo and their wives became good friends over the years while in Washington, and McKinley was able to convince Pompeo to come speak in Wheeling, according to Zende.

"We appreciate all the congressman's work, and it will be an exciting event," he said. "It shows our ability to get big name speakers to come in, and it is a credit to the power of our business community how we are able to attract speakers on that level.

"With all the craziness going on in the world, this gentleman can bring an inside perspective. Membership will be interested in hearing what he has to say.

"He has been in the room with all these leaders we are hearing about all over the world, and he can provide an understanding of what is going on."

Last year, Pompeo joined the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank based in Washington.

Those wanting to sponsor tables for the April 20 event should contact the chamber at 304-233-2575.

Starting at /week.