2024
Gene Irisari
Vice President of Public Affairs and Head of Semiconductor Policy , Samsung Electronics America
Photo by Arland Communications .
JEAN HARDIMAN
GENE IRISARI , vice president of public affairs and head of semiconductor policy for Samsung Electronics America , grew up in Glen Dale , WV , on a firm foundation . As the son of two first-generation immigrants who were both dedicated medical professionals , he and his two sisters were raised with a high standard of academic excellence . While playing sports at Linsly School through the years , he gained something he considers to be one of the strongest assets he brings to his career — a team mentality .
“ My team mentality came from a youth spent playing team sports and learning that when an organization works together , communicates and collaborates freely and selflessly for the greater goal , we ’ ll do great things together ,” says Irisari .
Today , he puts his commitment to excellence and teamwork together to lead a team of 11 that engages Congress and federal agencies , as well as state and
local elected officials , to educate them on Samsung ’ s priorities while minimizing and mitigating risk and building on potential opportunities for the business .
“ Samsung is the global leader in memory and display and the second largest company in the semiconductor foundry space ,” Irisari says .
In layman ’ s terms , semiconductors are computer chips , and they are the largest revenue source for Samsung , even though consumers know the company for its phones , televisions and appliances .
“ The most rewarding part of my line of work is being able to work in such an important industry by shaping policy that affects global markets while helping make the world a better place through technology ,” Irisari says .
Irisari has been at Samsung for five years , following a career that started on Capitol Hill before moving into private industry . It was his first brush with calculus that led him toward the field of law .
“ As the son of two doctors , I always grew up wishing that I could also be a medical doctor one day ,” he says . “ That was my career path until taking up calculus . Realizing that advanced math might not be my strength , I pivoted to wanting to be a lawyer to defend physicians like my parents . I thought that if I couldn ’ t be a doctor , the next best thing was being able to defend them in litigation .”
Irisari attended Vanderbilt University , earning his bachelor ’ s degree in 1994 with a double major in English literature and European history .
“ I had the opportunity to intern for two of my elected representatives in Congress during the summer before my senior year in college ,” Irisari says . “ Working for U . S . Senator Jay Rockefeller and Congressman Alan Mollohan that summer really piqued my interest in working in policy and politics .”
After graduating from Vanderbilt , Irisari headed to the West Virginia University ( WVU ) College of Law .
“ I remember that attending law school as a 1L was a shock to the system ,” he recalls . “ My first semester at WVU Law was eye-opening , to say the least . It was my first time being exposed to the Socratic method of teaching so being prepared and alert were absolute necessities .”
He graduated in 1997 and decided to give Washington , D . C ., a try , landing a position as a staffer for U . S . Representative Kevin Brady , a Republican from Texas .
“ I worked my way up from answering constituent mail for the congressman to
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE