FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2024
Top Washington Lobbying Firm Makes Strategic Hires, Bolstering Its Team Ahead of the Crucial First Year of a New Administration and Congress
Washington, D.C. –– The Alpine Group, a bipartisan, bicameral consulting firm in Washington, D.C., announced today that Abbey Overland, an accomplished expert in defense and national security policy across both the legislative and executive branches of government, has joined the firm as Vice President. Overland previously worked in the United States Senate, the Office of the Secretary of Defense during the first Trump administration, and most recently as a policy expert in the private sector. She brings to Alpine deep expertise in defense and national security policy from the perspectives of Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, and the private sector.
Alpine also announced the promotion of two staff members, Hannah Schmidt and Travis Fruhling, along with the hiring of Madison Gordon, who recently completed the firm’s internship program.
While on Capitol Hill, Overland served as Military Legislative Assistant (MLA) to Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, where she managed her defense, veterans’ affairs, and foreign affairs portfolio. In this role, she worked with key stakeholders to ensure Senator Ernst’s defense priorities were reflected in the National Defense Authorization Act each year. She later transitioned to the Pentagon, where she served as the primary congressional advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the entity responsible for driving the Department’s science and technology strategy. Overland also played a key role in building congressional support for the establishment of the United States Space Force through the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. She concluded her tenure at the Pentagon working in the Secretary’s Front Office as part of the Action Group.
“Few in our industry have as much wide-ranging and relevant experience in defense and national security policy, while also having the relationships to get things done, as Abbey,” said Keenan Austin Reed, CEO and Managing Principal of The Alpine Group. “Her deep understanding of defense policy and interagency collaboration, coupled with her commitment to bipartisanship, will be instrumental in helping our clients navigate complex challenges and seize opportunities in the defense sector. We’re excited to have Abbey on board as we continue to strengthen our team and provide exceptional strategic guidance. We are also thrilled for Hannah, Travis, and Madison, who are playing critical roles on our team of experts.”
“Abbey understands the intricacies of policymaking from multiple vantage points,” said Cornell Teague, Principal at The Alpine Group and leader of its national security team. “Her breadth of experience across Capitol Hill and the Pentagon, along with her in-house experience with innovative defense industry leaders, complements our already robust appropriations and national security practice at Alpine. We are thrilled to welcome her and are confident that our clients and partners will benefit greatly from her experience.”
Most recently, Overland served as an in-house lobbyist at Palantir Technologies and Ursa Major, leading their national security efforts on Capitol Hill.
“This is a pivotal moment in Washington, and I’m really looking forward to joining the incredible team at Alpine and helping our clients navigate upcoming policy changes and global uncertainty,” Overland said. “To be successful, you need first-hand experience getting things done across both the legislative and executive branches, and with leaders from both parties. That is a point of pride for me and a priority at Alpine. We aim to bring stability during a hectic time, as a new administration takes shape and a new Congress approaches appropriations and oversight.”
Alpine also announced the promotions of Hannah Schmidt from Director, Public Policy to Senior Director, Public Policy and Travis Fruhling from Staff Assistant to Director, Public Policy. It also announced its plans to hire Madison Gordon as a Staff Assistant from her previous role as an intern.
“Alpine’s strength lies in the dedication and expertise of its people, and these well-earned promotions and new additions reflect that,” said Les Spivey, President of The Alpine Group.
Hannah Schmidt has been with The Alpine Group since early 2019, when she joined as a Legislative Analyst before being promoted to Director, Public Policy in 2021. Travis Fruhling has been with the firm since January 2023.
Contact: Adam Abrams; Adam@SevenLetter.com; (202) 331-0110
The Alpine Group is consistently ranked as one of the top lobbying firms in Washington, and its staff are recognized for both their policy and political expertise. With a team of 25 professionals bringing years of experience across a range of senior political roles, the firm provides strategic advice and implements tactics to help clients successfully navigate Congress, the White House, and federal agencies.
