David Morgenstern provides expert advice for Podesta Group clients, particularly those in the transportation, energy, education and budget sectors, drawing on a decade of experience as a leading staffer for Republicans in the US Senate.
Before joining the Podesta Group, David was chief of staff for Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), while he was in the GOP leadership as chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. Serving as chief of staff from 2009 to 2011 and as legislative director from 2005 through 2009, Morgenstern oversaw Alexander’s legislative efforts on a wide range of concerns, including education, clean air, highways, science, appropriations and the Tennessee Valley Authority. During David's tenure, Alexander’s committee assignments included the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, the Committee on Rules and Administration and the Committee on the Budget.
Earlier in his career, David served as counsel for then-Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), now the Governor of Rhode Island. David’s responsibilities included Chafee’s work as a member of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
David’s private sector experience includes having managed business development for the college textbook online retailer, VarsityBooks.com, as well as serving as a litigation associate for law firms in Washington, DC and Chicago. Born in Mt. Kisco, NY, but raised in Westport, Conn. and Tokyo, Japan, he has a bachelor's from Emory University and a Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law.
A Washington answer man in more ways than one, David was a Jeopardy champion in October, 1997.
