Pete Kirkham is the president and founder of Red Maple Consulting. a government affairs and political strategy firm. He has over 25 years experience in government, national politics and industry.

As a senior member of the House leadership staff, Mr. Kirkham was regularly included in Roll Call newspaper’s “Fabulous Fifty” list of the most powerful and influential staffers on Capitol Hill and in Washington. D.C.

He served as executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee under NRCC Chairman, Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK). Prior to that, he served as chief of staff to Congressman Cole. Additional government service in management roles includes work for GOP Members of Congress including Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Sam Graves (R-MO), Wes Watkins (R-OK) and the late Herb Bateman (R-VA).

Mr. Kirkham has a successful track record of building winning coalitions for issue advocacy, legislative and regulatory initiatives and political campaigns.

Mr. Kirkham’s business background in the steel industry as a metallurgist focused on value-added sales through design-driven cost savings gives him a unique perspective on bringing products to market on time and under budget.

Mr. Kirkham is a graduate of West Virginia University (B.A. in political science and M.A. in international public policy analysis), Penn State University (B.S. in metals science and engineering) and the College of William and Mary (MS in Finance). While at WVU, he was captain of the men’s swimming and diving team, a full scholarship athlete and a national qualifier. At Penn State, he was awarded a prestigious full-tuition scholarship by a national materials science society.

A native of Virginia, Mr. Kirkham is married with three children. He is active in his community, volunteering through his church and other local organizations.