Shawn Whitman
Shawn
Whitman brings a wealth of Senate experience and connections to
Kountoupes
Consulting, LLC. After serving three Wyoming Senators over nearly
16
years, he knows the Senate and how to accomplish strategic initiatives
on the
Hill.
Mr. Whitman began his career in the Senate with U.S. Senator Alan K. Simpson in 1994. After completing college, he returned to Washington to work for U.S. Senator Craig Thomas. He served in several press and legislative positions in the office, most notably as the Legislative Director and Chief of Staff. In his management capacities, Mr. Whitman was key to securing Thomas' role as a senior legislator on energy, health care, trade and federal land policy.
When Senator Thomas passed away in June 2007, Mr. Whitman was asked to lead the office for incoming U.S. Senator John Barrasso as Chief of Staff. Senator Barrasso has quickly become a rising star within the Senate and the Republican Party. Senator Barrasso is an orthopedic trauma surgeon and became known as Wyoming's Doctor from his public health advocacy efforts in the state over nearly 30 years. The senator's medical background and expertise made him a natural born leader during the public health care debates.
Mr. Whitman is a long-recognized leader among Senate Chiefs of Staff. While on the Hill, he served as Chair of the Republican Chiefs of Staff and Staff Directors’ group. The senior staff group is designed to foster better communication and coordination among Senate Republican offices and to interact with outside national thought leaders. He was also a steering committee member for the bipartisan Chiefs of Staff organization formed to foster bipartisan leadership and develop common ground. The bipartisan group includes active participation from a majority of the 100 Senate Chiefs. Mr. Whitman is also head of RAMS, a networking group of current and former Republican House and Senate Chiefs of Staff as well as senior government officials that has been in existence since 1959.
Mr. Whitman received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from the University of Wyoming.