PRACTICE CHAIR
Geoffrey G. Burr

Geoffrey G. Burr

Policy Director

Background

Former senior official at the Departments of Transportation and Labor. Identifies inflection points in the executive branch and shepherds clients through each agency’s unique culture. Strong relationships with Republican leaders in Congress.

Geoff Burr leverages his senior-level executive branch experience to drive outcomes for clients on issues related to transportation, infrastructure, labor and employment. Geoff most recently served as chief of staff to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine Chao. In that role, he worked closely with business leaders across the transportation industry, from conventional companies to Silicon Valley start-ups. 

Now, Geoff fulfills the ambitious objectives of clients across the industry, from trucking and aviation companies to drone and autonomous vehicle manufacturers. He helps clients with smart, proven technology deploy it at the federal level by identifying where and how clients should focus their resources. In addition to his public service, Geoff served as vice president of government affairs at Associated Builders and Contractors, where he led the trade association’s policy initiatives, particularly as they related to labor issues.

While at DOT, Geoff  acted as the agency’s primary liaison to the White House and all other Cabinet secretary front offices. He also managed the political and career professionals charged with leading the agencies and modal administrations housed within the DOT. Prior, Geoff served as Secretary Chao’s confirmation lead during the 2016-2017 presidential transition as well as her deputy assistant secretary for congressional affairs in the Department of Labor during President George W. Bush’s administration. 

PRACTICES:

Representative Matters

Recent Experience

  • Represents a global transportation company that operates the largest commercial air fleet in the world. Successfully worked to preserve  “Open Skies” agreements in the Middle East that play a crucial role in the international economy, educated decision-makers at the Departments of State, Transportation and Commerce.

  • For a low-speed autonomous shuttle company, secured a NHTSA waiver–in under one month–that allowed them to deploy their technology for commercial use in Florida. Also obtained letters of support from their two home state senators and calls to the Department of Transportation to assist in securing a $25 million BUILD grant.

  • Represented a U.S. airline company in obtaining critical funding to protect and preserve their business in light of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Engaged stakeholders in the administration to secure exemptions that allowed them to retain much-needed capital and worked to ensure funding for airline companies remained a priority of congressional policymakers, who ultimately set aside $16 billion for the industry.

Insights & Publications

Credentials

Education

  • B.A., 1999, The College of William & Mary