Government Relations, Strategy and Policy

The Aerospace Industries Association’s mission is to work with our member companies to shape public policy that ensures that the industry remains successful and profitable in a changing global market. As Vice President for National Security Policy, I was responsible for developing AIA’s national security agenda, and for planning and executing advocacy efforts to support it. I coordinated policy and strategy development with top leaders of America’s defense industry, including CEOs, business unit/P&L center leaders, and Washington representatives, and I set the agenda and developed policy content for sustained dialogue between our defense industry CEOs and senior Department of Defense officials. In addition to AIA’s advocacy for robust, balanced and stable defense spending, I led several successful efforts to improve the DOD acquisition system, including (1) removing harmful labor and independent research and development (IR&D) regulations, (2) preventing restrictive DOD mergers and acquisition (M&A) policy, and (3) improving implementation of DOD cybersecurity policies. I also led significant cross-industry efforts to navigate the funding, workforce, supply chain and production challenges posed by the COVID 19 pandemic. By maintaining a vibrant network of relationships with senior political appointees, government and military officials, and Congressional leaders, I provided significant direction to AIA’s broader policy development, strategic communications and advocacy activities.At AIA, I designed and implemented a major restructuring of AIA’s national security policy division, built planning and execution tools, enhanced coordination among member companies, and hired and supervised senior professional staff.

I started Vector Solutions in 2002, and for 11 years provided business development, market analysis, and legislative advocacy services to clients ranging from America’s largest aerospace companies to technology startups. I specialized in ‘shirtsleeve consulting,’ fully immersing myself with each client’s team and supporting them at all stages of the policy and defense acquisition processes.After leaving Aerojet Rocketdyne in 2013, I re-established my independent consulting practice, offering policy guidance, market analysis and government process insight for investment managers and corporate clients. This enabled me to conduct an aggressive search for an executive position while maintaining the relationships and subject matter expertise vital to my professional development.

As Vice President of Washington Operations, I directed Aerojet Rocketdyne’s interactions with Congress and with our government customers. I initiated a major expansion of the company’s Washington presence by recruiting an exceptional team of accomplished professionals and creating innovative planning and execution tools. In addition to coordinating government-related aspects of Aerojet’s successful acquisition of Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne, I established and executed advocacy efforts that successfully increased awareness of AR programs, interests and capabilities throughout the federal government. I increased the use of policy experts and trade associations in support of company priorities, and vastly improved the management and return on investment of the office’s $4 million operating budget.“…As new VP Wash Ops John has revitalized the staff, reoriented resources towards Aerojet’s major interests, and amplified Aerojet’s impact on Washington…”

During 2001 and 2002, I served the Secretary of Defense as a special assistant for legislative affairs, spearheading Department of Defense efforts within Congress on missile defense, strategic weapons, and international security policies and programs. I prepared senior officials for Congressional testimony, and guided Presidential nominees through the Senate confirmation process.

I served for five years in the United States Senate, as a senior defense aide to two subcommittee chairmen on the Armed Services Committee, and as Senior Policy Advisor to a member of Senate leadership. In these positions, I advised senators on a wide range of defense, foreign policy, and intelligence matters, and serving as principal liaison with senior U.S. government and military officials. I have extensive experience working with Congressional staff, developing and executing aggressive subcommittee hearing and travel agendas, and drafting significant legislation on a range of national security issues. I have traveled extensively to Asia, Europe, and numerous defense facilities in the United States.

I assisted Chairman Donald Rumsfeld and 12 senior commissioners in setting a course of study, conducting research, shaping consensus positions, and writing the Commission’s report to Congress and the Secretary of Defense. “I want to personally express my appreciation for your outstanding contribution to the work of the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization. Your support to the deliberations of the commission and background research were of tremendous value…”– The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld, United States Secretary of Defense

After completing officer training and the U.S. Army's Ranger and Airborne Schools, I served as a Marine Corps infantry officer from December 1986 to March 1989. My assignments included rifle platoon commander, rifle company executive officer, scout/sniper platoon commander, and battalion assistant operations officer. As a Reserve captain, I was assigned to the Special Operations section in the Plans, Policies and Operations Division at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, from March 1993 to November 1994. Promoted to the rank of major in 1996, I was assigned to the Public Affairs Division, where I wrote feature articles for Marines, the official magazine of the U.S. Marine Corps. I received an Honorable discharge on January 1, 1999.

I began my Washington career in 1992 as a national defense policy analyst with the Heritage Foundation, a prominent Washington think tank, where I specialized in power projection, readiness, and personnel issues. I authored and co-authored numerous Heritage Foundation defense policy studies, and appeared regularly on radio and television programs across the United States. I have been published in Defense Analysis, Policy Review, The World And I, Insight, The American Enterprise, U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, The Marine Corps Gazette, Marines, Enjeux Atlantiques, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, The Washington Times, Navy Times, and numerous other newspapers.