Kristian joined Smith Garson in 2020 after working in the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman Raul Ruiz and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren of California. As Legislative Assistant to Congresswoman Lofgren, Kristian oversaw a portfolio consisting of education, energy, environment, health care, and water issues in addition to staffing Congresswoman Lofgren on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
Kristian’s strong understanding and knowledge of the legislative and appropriations processes as well as federal grant funding opportunities, prior experience working at federal and local government levels, and creative approach to problem solving prove beneficial when advising clients. At SG, he works with a range of local government entities, institutions of higher education, and for-profit corporations across the U.S. Kristian works closely with clients to advance their funding and policy priorities in Congress and with the Administration, crafting legislative text, reviewing grant applications, and developing engagement strategies with Washington stakeholders.
His successes include the addition of client-supported provisions within key reauthorization legislation such as the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act and biannual Water Resources Development Act, helping clients secure funding from the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and guiding clients through the member directed spending application process. With Kristian‘s support, his clients have received funding for affordable housing, public safety, roadway construction, water infrastructure, and workforce development through this process.
Kristian is a proud San Francisco Bay Area native. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University.
