AIA Features | Staff Spotlight: Director for Legislative Affairs Patrick F. McCartan

Staff Spotlight: Patrick McCartan
AIA's Director for Legislative Affairs
By Anne Wiskerchen

AIA's Director for Legislative Affairs Patrick F. McCartan

"The aerospace industry creates and supports American's capabilities as a world power," said AIA's Director for Legislative Affairs Patrick McCartan.

That point is one of the many reasons he loves his job at the association.

Since February 2002 McCartan has represented the international trade and regulatory policy interests of AIA member companies before members of Congress and their staffs. More specifically he follows workforce, tax matters, international, NASA, and House Aerospace Caucus issues. He also supports AIA's corporate communications division with public speaking engagements on the state of the aerospace industry.

While he has worked hard on many issues during his time at the association McCartan believes his greatest accomplishment has been, "reinvigorating the House Aerospace Caucus and successfully pursuing legislation that reflects industry's workforce, research, and development and defense cooperation priorities."

According to McCartan the most challenging, but rewarding part of the job the job is, "articulating industry's federal policy agenda in a concise and persuasive way for members of Congress and new staffs."

His interest in politics and public affairs began as a child growing up in Cleveland. McCartan went on to receive a bachelor's degree in political science from Holy Cross College and then a master's degree in public administration from Syracuse University.

Before joining AIA, McCartan managed a marketing communications group at the firm of KPMG LLP. From 1988 to 1997, he worked in several capacities for the United States Senate and the State of California as a legislative analyst.

When he's not in the office or on the Hill McCartan enjoys collecting political and military Americana and campaign memorabilia as well as religious antiques.

McCartan plans to continue his work on legislative issues by broadening the congressional base of support for the industry.

"I would like to expand congressional awareness of aerospace public policy agenda beyond our traditional allies on Capital Hill," said McCartan.