He drafts legislation — and installs air conditioners

John McAuliff, ’14, is proof that installing air-conditioning units at a bed and breakfast and drafting state legislation share common ground. As the owner of Chilton House and a delegate in the Virginia House of Delegates, he employs grounded leadership and proactive problem-solving.

McAuliff, who studied leadership studies, initially used his skill set to advise political leaders from Virginia to the White House. Now a leader himself, he represents western Loudoun and northern Fauquier counties. During the 10 months out of session, McAuliff keeps himself busy with local events and constituent outreach.

His legislation, which focuses on climate policy and small businesses, is informed by running Chilton House. The bed and breakfast in Warrenton, Virginia, a property dating back to the early 1800s, was formerly his grandparents’ house. McAuliff transformed it, which brought in tourists to boost the local economy. In the legislature, he focuses on local businesses and farmland preservation.

“I think it is valuable to move around and do different jobs and take on different challenges,” McAuliff said. “You need to have scope. You can’t do [politics] well if it’s all you’ve ever done.”

His favorite part of the job is simple: “I like when the governor signs my bills.” But he’s learned not to fixate on failures. Instead, McAuliff prioritizes “guest relations,” listening to his constituents and his guests. As long as the people he serves feel they are heard, he believes he has accomplished something.

“It’s not that difficult in life to get some power. What’s hard is wielding it ethically [and] making decisions that are actually in the best interests of the people you’re supposed to protect,” he said. “We can’t solve every problem, or we can’t solve it quickly sometimes, but you can make sure people are listened to.”