Jim Lamb is the Founder and President of Commonwealth Consultants where he serves as a strategic advisor to FORTUNE 500 companies, leading developers and data center operators, charitable nonprofits and governmental bodies in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.
Recognized by the Washington Business Journal as a Top 25 Public Relations Firm in the DC area for 23 consecutive years, Commonwealth Consultants was also awarded the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s highest award for a small business, Corporate Citizen of the Year. Commonwealth Consultants is recognized for having worked on behalf of over 45 Fortune 500 companies as well as serving as the PR firm for 4 of the 6 largest completed transportation projects in the DMV.
Jim Lamb’s 25-year career in the Region has allowed him to work with thousands of elected officials, state officials, reporters, business and community leaders. Jim has worked with Governors of both parties, serving as Governor Mark Warner’s Co-Chairman for the Northern Virginia Transportation Referendum and then as the Director of the Inauguration for Governor-elect Bob McDonnell.
In that capacity, Jim served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Inauguration and directed 37 events across Virginia including the official Swearing-In Ceremony of the Governor-elect. Jim’s focus throughout the Inaugural week was to showcase the volunteer talent of citizens and community charities across Virginia. The Inauguration established a record in Virginia for financial support provided directly to nonprofits.
Jim Lamb’s passion is helping those in need. He has provided volunteer counsel to more than 70 organizations over the past two decades including the INOVA Kellar Center for Children, the Northern Virginia Family Service, the Fairfax County Public Library Foundation, Kent Garden’s Elementary School, Rainbow Therapeutic Riding, Britepaths, A.E.R.O., the School for Religious Studies of the Catholic University of America, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and dozens more.
Jim also serves and has served on the board of a variety of organizations including Carpenter’s Shelter Homeless Shelter, the Fairfax County Court Appointed Special Advocates for Abused Children, the Business Advisory Board of The Angel’s Network, the Executive Committee of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Washington Board of Trade’s Virginia PAC.
Along with business legends Mario Morino and Lyles Carr, Jim was selected by Greater DC Cares as one of the 20 most powerful “Agents of Change” for the entire DC Region. He was selected because of his creation of a new model for philanthropy that promoted social equality and social opportunity for those in need over a decade before it became fashionable in the corporate world.
In August of 2023, Jim was one of 6 small business leaders considered from 7,000 nominated candidates to be honored by the Washington Nationals and PNC Bank at an on-field celebration before the Nationals/Red Sox game for his philanthropic efforts.
Jim was also appointed by Monsignor Ronald Jameson of the Diocese of Washington to serve as the Chairman of the St. Matthews Cathedral Restoration Celebration, a year-long effort that capped the $8 million restoration of Washington’s cathedral that was first constructed in 1860. In this volunteer capacity, Jim created the fundraising concepts and public relations plans for the Celebration, solicited major donors to fund the restoration and served as the Chief Executive Officer for this historic event. He managed and oversaw 600 talented staff members and volunteers who worked across Washington, DC to execute concerts, events and a celebratory mass that included world dignitaries, the national and international media, local community leaders and thousands of ordinary citizens.
In the last 20 years as a volunteer without compensation, Jim has directly raised more than $16 million for dozens of charities and causes.
As a company, Commonwealth Consultants plays a leading role in assisting those in need in the region through its Foundation, which has been recognized by the Washington Business Journal as one of the 10 Most Generous Corporate Contributors based on annual revenues.
The centerpiece of the Foundation’s efforts is The James and Joan Lamb Scholarship, named in honor of Jim’s parents. The Lamb scholarships recognize “the Lambs’ strong belief that a sound education provides an individual with the best chance for personal and spiritual fulfillment and economic prosperity.” James and Joan Lamb both came from poor, working-class backgrounds, yet throughout their lives they were able to provide unique moral leadership to their family, friends and their Northern Virginia community. The scholarship program enables children who live under The Poverty Level to attend the four-year university program at George Mason University. Since 2003, Commonwealth Consultants has awarded seven, four-year scholarships to deserving students from across the country.
Jim Lamb is a lifelong resident of our Washington community and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the College of William and Mary.