David Jansen joins Blank Rome Government Relations

David S. Jansen

Blank Rome Government Relations LLC reports that David Jansen has joined the firm as a senior advisor in its Washington, D.C., office.

Jansen most recently served as the Democratic staff director for the Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure.

He comes to the firm with nearly 30 years of executive and legislative branch experience in the areas of transportation; national security; and ocean, coastal, and wildlife science, conservation, and management.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dave to our firm,” said C.J. Zane, BRGR Managing Principal. “His extensive knowledge of the federal budget and congressional appropriations processes, proven ability to successfully engage with public and private sector professionals, and demonstrated record of legislative achievement in passing numerous key bills and initiatives, will bring tremendous value to not only our BRGR team, but also to Blank Rome’s leading maritime, environmental, and energy groups. We look forward to working with him to counsel our clients in these critical industries and practice areas across local, state, and federal levels.”

During his tenure at the U.S. House of Representatives, Jansen oversaw all aspects of subcommittee policy and legislative business. He conducted oversight of annual budgets totaling over $13 billion annually for three federal maritime agencies, and advanced authorization of the first recapitalization of the Coast Guard’s polar icebreaker fleet in 40 years.

BRGR says that Jansen notably worked across the aisle to raise awareness and increase appropriations for several important maritime programs, including the Maritime Security Program, the Small Shipyard Grant Program, the Port Infrastructure Development Program, and authorization to construct the new fleet of National Security Multi-Mission Training vessels for state maritime academies.

He also successfully built bipartisan support for passage of the first legislation to amend the Shipping Reform Act in 20 years to strengthen the Federal Maritime Commission’s anti-trust enforcement authority to ensure fair shipping practices in the $980 billion international ocean transportation industry.

Prior to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Dave was a congressional affairs specialist for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association.

“I am excited to join the impressive team of BRGR professionals,” said Jansen. “My strong congressional and industry experience, notably in the areas of maritime, energy, and automated systems, will be a great resource to the firm and its nationally recognized attorneys and professionals. I look forward to collaborating with the BRGR team on successfully advising our clients in these rapidly evolving industries, particularly with regards to the progressive policies and initiatives that will arise from the new Biden administration and Congress.”

Jansen earned his Master of Marine Affairs degree, with a focus on Ocean and Coastal Policy and Management, from the University of Washington. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree, with a focus on Wetland Science & Wildlife Management, from the University of Rhode Island.