Recent reports have emerged stating that Tesla has hired White House veteran Alexandra Veitch as its new North American lead for government relations and policy. Veitch, who served as a Special Assistant to former US President Barack Obama in the past, is reportedly starting her employment in Tesla today.
News of Veitch’s appointment was reported by American political news agency Politico, which dubbed the White House veteran as an “Obama Alumni,” and more recently, the VP for government relations at CSRA, a tech contractor for the US government. Veitch’s LinkedIn page still does not indicate that she works for Tesla, but a quick look at her background and past employment suggests that she would be an excellent hire for the electric car maker and energy company.
Veitch describes herself in her LinkedIn profile as someone who has “extensive experience at the highest levels of both the legislative and executive branch.” Her more than ten years worth of experience on Capitol Hill is also emphasized.
Prior to her reported employment at Tesla, Veitch served as the VP of Government Relations for CSRA Inc. During her stay with the IT provider, she helped the company “refine and promote a unique public policy view for a new company, establishing CSRA as a leader on issues to include cybersecurity, IT modernization, and good government.”
Before joining CSRA Inc. on January 2017, Veitch served at the White House. From September 2015-January 2017, she worked as a Special Assistant to then-US President Barack Obama. According to Veitch’s LinkedIn profile, she “managed the President’s relationships with nearly 100 Members of Congress – both Democrats and Republicans, members of leadership, and Chairs and Ranking Members of committees – and represented his interests to legislative leaders.” She also served as the “subject matter expert within the White House on the legislative and oversight activities of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.”
Veitch was also employed as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Legislative Affairs in the US Department of Homeland Security. She was also a Senior Advisor and Director of Speechwriting to US politician Nancy Pelosi for more than seven years, from August 2005 – December 2012.
Alexandra Veitch has a Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, where she graduated cum laude. She also has a Masters in International Studies from the University of Sydney, Australia.
If Politico’s report proves accurate, Tesla would have gained a veteran in the government relations field with Veitch’s hiring. Her expertise, after all, would definitely come in handy, considering the circumstances surrounding the company. After all, while Tesla’s shares continue to rise in the stock market amid improvements in the Model 3 line, the company is still facing an investigation from the NTSB about a fatal Model X crash last month near Mountain View, CA, on top of an ongoing recall for the Model S. If Veitch’s background is any indication, however, Tesla’s government relations and policy would now be led by very experienced hands.
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