Ian J. Rayder

HOMETOWN: FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA

EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, POLITICAL SCIENCE/ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION; UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, POLITICAL MANAGEMENT

CAMPAIGNS: PRESIDENTIAL AND HOUSE CAMPAIGNS

CAPITOL HILL: TOP POLICY AIDE/DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR CHIEF DEPUTY WHIP DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D-FL). HANDLED APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE PORTFOLIO, HOUSE FLOOR.

K STREET: DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AT CISCO SYSTEMS (CISCO’S PRIMARY LIAISON TO BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE and Congressional democrats); DIRECTOR OF FEDERAL AFFAIRS AT DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (DEN)

AWARDS: AIDS ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIES PUBLIC POLICY AWARD (2008), HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS (HSI) AWARD FOR WORK ON INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN (ICAC) TASK FORCE (2008).

LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES: LED PASSAGE OF VIRGINIA GRAEME BAKER POOL AND SPA SAFETY ACT (2006), PROTECT OUR CHILDREN ACT (2008), LONGSHORE HARBOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLARIFICATION ACT (2014), LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACTS (2008, 2010).

LIFE NOW: DENVER, CO; WITH HIS WIFE EVE, AND TWO CHILDREN

ROOTING INTERESTS: MIAMI DOLPHINS, MIAMI HEAT, UCF KNIGHTS AND FLORIDA GATORS

With over 20 years of experience in a wide variety of strategic public policy and political roles, both inside and outside of government, Ian Rayder has steered the legislative and political goals for stakeholders at every level. The rare veteran of federal, state, and local government, as well as the private sector, Ian has a deep understanding of the intersection between politics and policy.

Rayder spent a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives as a top advisor for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), former Chair of the Democratic National Committee and current Subcommittee Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. As Deputy Chief of Staff, Rayder had a senior advisory role in the overall political and legislative strategy of the office, and handled the Representative’s Appropriations, Budget and Steering & Policy Committee portfolios. Rayder also supported Wasserman Schultz in her role as Chief Deputy Whip, where he was responsible for staffing duties on the floor of the House of Representatives.

After departing Capitol Hill, Rayder spent nearly four years working for Cisco Systems, a Fortune 100 multinational technology conglomerate, as Director of Government Affairs. In this capacity, he represented the company before the U.S. Congress on their domestic public policy agenda, including complex issues such as high-skilled immigration, telecommunications, patent reform, cybersecurity and tax.

Upon moving to Colorado with his family in 2019, Ian led the federal affairs portfolio at Denver International Airport (DEN), driving the policy agenda and strategic plan objectives for the third busiest airport in the world.

Rayder returned to public service in early 2020 when he was chosen to serve as Colorado’s Deputy Secretary of State. In this high-profile, statewide role, he advised Secretary of State Jena Griswold (D-CO) on policy and operational decisions, in addition to overseeing internal operations for a 150-person staff. Most notably, Rayder helped lead the agency’s oversight of the 2020 Colorado Statewide Primary and General Elections, both of which set historic voter turnout records in the state.

Ian holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree from the University of Florida’s Political Management program. He has served as an adjunct lecturer at his graduate school alma mater, where he has taught a course on practical politics and lobbying strategy in the federal government. Ian lives with his wife, Eve, who is the Executive Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade, and their two young children in Denver.