Ryan Vaart

Ryan Vaart represents clients on issues including federal appropriations, defense, homeland security, military base enhancement, and space and technology before Congress and the executive branch. Mr. Vaart specializes in providing strategic advice, public relations recommendations, and tactical assistance in planning and implementing legislative activities necessary to achieve client objectives. His clients include small R&D companies, large companies targeting government procurement, state economic development entities and local citizens’ groups focused on military base enhancement. Prior to joining Akin Gump, Mr. Vaart served as a professional staff member on the House Committee on Armed Services. While working for the committee, he supported three different chairmen over a period of more than 10 years, most recently U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA). He was the primary staff adviser to members of the committee on issues relating to military construction, base realignment and closure activities and infrastructure management-related authorities. From 1996 through 2002 Mr. Vaart served in the communications office of the committee, conducting media relations for former U.S. Reps. Bob Stump (R-AZ) and Floyd Spence (R-SC). Before joining the Armed Services Committee staff, Mr. Vaart worked for the House Republican Conference under U.S. Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), providing analysis of legislation before the House of Representatives to members of Congress and their staffs. Mr. Vaart received his B.A. in government from Cornell University in 1995. A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, he has been a resident of the Washington, D.C., area since 1973, and currently lives in Arlington, Virginia.