David Castagnetti

David Castagnetti is a democratic political strategist with a Red Sox enthusiast’s ardor for hitting them out of the park. David has worked at the forefront of many of the significant legislative issues of the past two decades; he’s represented both public officials and private industry. David now brings to bear his extensive legislative expertise in trade, technology, tax and transportation for corporations, trade associations and other organizations needing to understand the workings of Washington and affect the shaping of public policy. Worked for Kerry Campaign. Currently partner at Mehlmen Vogel Castagnetti, firm that represents health care industry. Senator John Kerry tapped David to direct Congressional Operations for his 2004 presidential campaign. His tasks? Directing and implementing the Congressional strategy. Day to day contact with leaders and members of the House and Senate. Briefing the Congressional caucuses on the strategy, polling and message of the Kerry-Edwards Campaign. David artfully and sensitively determined Members’ speaking rolls at the convention, and oversaw surrogate outreach efforts during the convention and debates. Before joining the Kerry campaign, David was a partner at Bergner, Bockorny, Castagnetti & Hawkins, a government relations firm representing Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and small start-ups. David celebrated several home runs at the firm. Passing of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China and the Clinton Administration’s revision of U.S. export controls on high performance computers. Each required extraordinary, hard-won bipartisan support. While at the firm, David developed valuable legislative and regulatory expertise in corporate mergers and acquisitions. He advised Hewlett-Packard in its largest ever global high tech merger with Compaq. David also played a significant advisory role in the NewsCorp./Direct TV merger and Travelers and St. Paul Insurance companies merger. During ten years holding senior positions on Capitol Hill, David honed a resume and packed a rolodex that stand Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti clients in good stead. As Chief of Staff for Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), David focused on trade, high technology, tax and transportation issues. He also provided advice and counsel on all matters related to the Finance, Environment and Public Works Committees. David served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Norman Y. Mineta (D-CA) in the House of Representatives. In addition to aiding the Congressman in his role as Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, David quarterbacked his confirmations for both Secretary of Commerce in the Clinton Administration and Secretary of Transportation for President George W. Bush.