Wes Kungel is Vice President of Acorn Consulting, offering strategic advice and leveraging his experience in infrastructure, energy, and technology to advance client priorities through legislative, appropriations, and regulatory processes. 

Prior to joining Acorn Consulting, he was Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Senator Joe Manchin (WV), where he negotiated and drafted major legislative packages and provisions, including the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, bipartisan Covid relief, the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act, and a permanent fix to protect coal miners’ pensions and healthcare. He also developed and executed multi-year campaigns to advance West Virginia priorities, such as updating the Federal Communications Commission’s broadband coverage maps, ensuring funding allocations reflected the new maps, and securing over $250 million in additional disaster funding to help the state rebuild after the devastating June 2016 floods. 

From 2006 through 2014, he served various roles for Senator Mary Landrieu (LA), including Projects Director responsible for advancing economic development opportunities throughout the state. He also drafted and negotiated the Homeowner’s Flood Insurance Affordability Act and testified as a witness before the Louisiana State Legislature and the New Orleans City Council. Wes is a proud Louisianian who earned his B.A. in English from Louisiana State University.