Biography
With nearly three decades of experience on the Hill and with the US Department of State, David Adams possesses an invaluable combination of legislative and foreign policy expertise uniquely equipping him to provide strategic guidance for clients on a wide range of issues. Able to navigate both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue and both sides of the political aisle with ease, Adams has a sharp understanding of what it takes for organizations to succeed both on Capitol Hill and on the world stage.
Over the course of his career, David has served as a trusted adviser to both congressional leadership and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and earned the respect of the decision-makers who matter most. A tested negotiator, he has been instrumental in some of the most significant foreign affairs debates of the past twenty years. As Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs, David was the chief legislative adviser to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and was instrumental in facilitating the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, civil nuclear cooperation agreements with Russia and Australia and the successful confirmation of 122 nominees. Previously, as Deputy Assistant Secretary for House Affairs, he was also key to the development of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, as well as approval of major arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Iraq and a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the United Arab Emirates.
David’s distinguished record as staff director for the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia and as professional staff for the Committee on International Relations earned him the respect of government and corporate officials at home and across the globe. Among his many achievements on Capitol Hill, he was key to the passage of the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002 and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2001. David often cites writing the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act of 1990 as one of his greatest professional accomplishments. The bill marked a three-year, bi-partisan undertaking to improve the way the Federal government compensates its employees.
After years of traveling to Napa and Sonoma, David started Capstone Vineyards in Liden, Virginia with his wife Andrea in 2013. He is a member of the Virginia Vineyards Association and, when not sipping Capstone wine, he is known to enjoy a dry martini.
