Stephen Ward is the founder and lone principal of Stephen Ward Consulting LLC, a consulting and lobbying firm based in Arlington, VAHe founded his own consulting firm in October of 2021 after a decade of serving as a principal at VH Strategies, a government affairs firm based in DC. He had joined VH Strategies in 2011 after serving for nearly 8 years as chief of staff for Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a senior member of both the Senate Finance and HELP committees. Prior to his Senate experience, Stephen led the lobbying support for the federal business group within EDS Corporation. Earlier in his career, he spent a decade in electoral politics, and another decade in human services.During his Senate tenure Stephen chaired the Senate Democratic Chiefs organization, leading their Friday meetings and serving as a liaison to the leadership staff. He also served as a board member on the Senate Bipartisan Chiefs organization, establishing strong relationships on both sides of the aisle. Stephen's substantive expertise runs the gamut of most issues facing the Congress and the Executive Branch, with more depth in tax, energy and resources, and telecommunications and health care issues. His relationships and strategic experience in driving and influencing policy have led to many successes for the firm's clients.