
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.
Jamie Dunbar
Senior Vice President

Peter Goelz
Senior Vice President

Carlos Iturregui
Senior Vice President

Ben Josephson
Senior Vice President

Cosmo Macero Jr.
Partner

Ann Murphy
Counsel

Jenn Krowchun
Vice President

Jim Gordon
Vice President

Chris Niles
Vice President

Lindsay Toghill
Vice President

Christopher Tracy
Vice President

Ben Goldstein-Smith
Senior Director

Erin Riley, Esq.
Vice President

Jamison O’Neill
Associate Director

Phil Wettengel
Associate Director

Anna Darrow
Senior Account Executive

Madeleine McCullom
Account Executive

Marilyn Miller Straight
Executive Assistant to the CEO
