Aaron Saunders has the rare distinction of serving as senior staff for both a Republican and Democrat. This experience has allowed Aaron to maintain meaningful relationships with contacts from across the political spectrum, both on and off Capitol Hill. During his five years with Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Aaron was the national on-the-record spokesperson, including during Senator Stevens’ time as Chairman of the Senate Commerce and Appropriations Committees. Aaron went on to serve as the communications director for Senator Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana) for two years, including serving as spokesperson for the Senator during the BP oil spill. In 2010, Aaron joined a nationally recognized crisis communication and public affairs firm. Over his five years there, he rose to Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer where he managed the firm’s day-to-day operations. Aaron led accounts for Fortune 500 companies and trade associations in the consumer products, defense, education, energy, health care, manufacturing, and technology sectors. He has extensive experience communicating complex issues and gaining regulatory and legislative support for products and technologies that upset the status quo and draw intense scrutiny. Today, he performs a variety of public affairs functions – including strategic planning and counsel, crisis training and management, media engagement, media training, and coalition building – for his firm’s diverse group of clients.