Chief Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer
American Counseling Association
Alexandria, Virginia
Brian D. Banks is the Chief of Government Affairs & Public Policy Officer for the American
Counseling Association. He has over twenty-years of Government Relations experience. His
range of professional experience is with NGO’s, Associations, the Federal Government and
For-Profit organizations. He has spent much of his career working in his hometown of
Washington, DC where like many others he was bit by the politics bug.
Within his career he has focused on local, state, and federal policy issues that primarily
focus on improving the lives of people. Brian also teaches as a Professor of
Communications, his goal is to bring his real-life experience as a spokesperson and lobbyist
into the classroom where he primarily teaches Fundamentals of Communication with a
focus on business and policy. Brian has been seen on many networks including the Food
Network, BBC, NPR, and BET for issues relating to the Federal Safety-Net, Education, Health
Care, and the Environment.
He has spent his career as a Government Relations professional where he has educated and
empowered legislators to make informed decisions that support their constituents in the
areas of; Mental Health, Access to Healthy Foods, Education, Gaming & Resorts,
Environmental Issues, and Tax issues to name a few. He has had the honor of serving as a
lead for Government Affairs at many prestigious organizations including serving at the
pleasure of the Secretary of the Air Force.
Brian was also chosen as a community leader by the Obama Administration, where he
primarily focused on the nation’s safety-net programs. Brian has received several awards
for his undying commitment to service, including being recognized by the U.S. Department
of State for providing his expertise to the international U.S. and African Leaders Program,
the Top Lobbyist Honor in 2021 from the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics, and he
received the Professional and Community Excellence Award from Porsche in 2016.
Brian earned his undergraduate in Communication Studies, where he focused on Media
Affairs, and Business Communication. He then earned his MA from The Catholic University
of America in Politics with a focus on Congressional Studies.
Disclosure information not submitted.
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
