Rob Smith is a Managing Director in Mercury’s Washington, D.C. office, where he represents a diverse client base, including defense, pharmaceutical, healthcare, environmental, financial services and transportation clients. With the relationships he has built over the past two decades, Rob is able to represent the interests of Main Street as effectively as he represents the interests of Wall Street.

A native Oklahoman, Rob began his career on Capitol Hill as the military legislative aide to House Armed Services Committee Member, Congressman Joel Hefley (R-CO), where he worked on defense procurement and military construction issues. He later went on to serve as legislative director for Congressman Wes Watkins (R-OK), where he focused on trade and tax issues under the jurisdiction of the Ways and Means Committee.

Upon leaving the Hill, Rob joined Sun Microsystems, one of the world’s largest technology companies as a federal affairs representative. He represented the company on numerous legislative and regulatory matters, including domestic and international tax, broadband, employee compensation and benefits and accounting and export controls. Rob was active in directing Sun’s participation in major technology trade associations, coalitions and congressional working groups and was the company’s primary liaison before key political party organizations. After leaving Sun, he worked at an AmLaw 100 law firm, where he served as legislative practice group leader and managed the PAC for the entirety of his tenure.

A veteran of many legislative battles, Rob uses his experience and knowledge to advise clients on all aspects of federal advocacy, including obtaining federal funding, marketing and sales to federal agencies and developing effective relationships with their constituent members of Congress and congressional staff. Using his numerous bipartisan, bicameral relationships on Capitol Hill, he has led many successful legislative coalition efforts on behalf of his clients.

Throughout his time in Washington, D.C., Rob has remained politically active. In 2004 and 2008, he served as a professional volunteer in the Official Proceedings Division of the Republican National Committee. In that role, Rob was responsible for the logistics and hospitality of over twenty members of Congress and VIPs. Additionally, he serves on the steering and finance committees for many elected officials and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Club Association.

Rob earned his B.A. from the University of Oklahoma and M.B.A. from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina.