About Bill: A Lifetime of Service

Delegate Bill Janis has spent his life in the arena of public service. As the grandson of immigrants, Bill was the first member of his family to graduate from college, attending the Virginia Military Institute on a Navy ROTC scholarship.

In May 1984, Bill entered the United States Navy as a Commissioned Officer. A veteran of the Persian Gulf War, Bill served at sea in submarines and destroyers.

After 11 years of service, Bill left the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander and entered the University of Virginia Law School. While studying, he worked in the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s offices of both Albemarle and Henrico Counties. Bill was admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia in January 2000.

In 1999, Delegate Paul Harris asked Bill to be his Campaign Manager. Bill led the campaign to an overwhelming victory in the November election and served as Delegate Harris’s Legislative Aide during the 2000 Session. When Eric Cantor became a candidate for the United States House of Representatives, Bill was drafted on short notice to serve as Eric’s Political Director, playing an integral role in that closely contested victory.

Bill returned to the General Assembly in 2001, representing the Family Foundation as a lobbyist. Drafting pro-family legislation and working with members of the General Assembly for its passage, Bill became a leading advocate at the Family Foundation for the Virginia Children's Education Opportunity Act of 2001, which sought to create tuition tax credits to provide school choice for Virginians.

In November 2001, Bill Janis was elected to the House of Delegates to represent the 56th District in the seat once held by Patrick Henry. Comprising the counties of Louisa, Goochland, and the northwestern corner of Henrico, the 56th District spans Central Virginia from the high-density suburban neighborhoods of Wyndham, Wellesley, and Twin Hickory, through the rapidly growing areas of West Creek Parkway and Short Pump, to the rural farms and fields of Goochland and Louisa Counties.

Delegate Bill Janis serves on the House Courts of Justice, Finance, Health Welfare & Institutions and Militia, Police & Public Safety Committees, as well as the House Sub-Committee on Homeland Security.

Bill is active in veteran's organizations such as VFW Post 6364 and American Legion Post 215, and is a member of the Virginia War Memorial Board of Trustees. An Eagle Scout, Bill serves as Cubmaster of Pack 720 and on the Executive Committees of the Robert E. Lee Council Boy Scouts of America, Richmond Strikers Soccer Club, and the Greater Short Pump Alliance.

Bill has been married to the former Rose Ann Hunter for 20 years and they have two children, Rachel and Robert. Bill is a parishioner of Saint Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church.

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