Ben Goldstein-Smith

Senior Director

Ben Goldstein-Smith is a senior director in O’Neill and Associates’ federal government relations practice. With 15 years of experience working in government and politics, Ben is instrumental in advising clients on legislative and advocacy initiatives.

Ben has advised businesses and nonprofit clients on federal matters related to technological innovation, transportation, sustainability, economic development, and community outreach. He specializes in helping clients form local and national bipartisan coalitions to guide federal advocacy and utilizes legislative and executive branch funding processes to deliver results. Ben’s deep understanding of the shifting priorities in Washington, DC guides the development of thorough strategic outreach plans to help clients act on opportunities at the right moment.

Highlights of Ben’s work include:

• Inclusion of community project funding (earmark) requests in annual appropriations bills to guarantee funding of key client projects.
• Introduction and passage of the Republican-led IMPACT Act to help foster growth of the low-carbon cement industry as the result of a strong coalition of for-profit and nonprofit industry advocates.
• Successful advocacy trips where clients travel to DC to meet with bipartisan members of Congress and Administration officials to build relationships and advance policy goals.

Prior to joining O’Neill and Associates, Ben served as National Political Director to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. In this role, he worked closely with House Leadership, Members of Congress and senior officials to build coalitions and implement political strategies while managing teams in both DC and Maryland. During his decade in the Leader’s office, Ben’s leadership and expertise were instrumental in supporting and electing many Members of the House of Representatives who now are taking on senior roles. Before working with Leader Hoyer, Ben served as a senior aide to Maryland State Senate Majority Leader Nancy King. He remained active in Maryland politics throughout his tenure in Hoyer’s office and played a key advisory role in Governor Wes Moore’s campaign.

Ben earned his Bachelor of Arts in government and politics at the University of Maryland, College Park where he was also enrolled in the College Park Scholars Public Leadership Program. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland with his wife and daughter.