Stewart Verdery is the CEO and Founder of Monument Advocacy, a public policy and public affairs firm in Washington. Prior to launching Monument, Verdery served as the first Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following his unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate. At DHS’s Border and Transportation Security Directorate, he oversaw agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration. He led efforts to develop and implement policies related to immigration, visas, and travel facilitation; cargo security and international trade; transportation security; and law enforcement. Verdery worked extensively with foreign governments, frequently testified before Congress, and publicly represented the administration on a diverse set of issues. Stewart also chaired official government advisory committees on international trade and tourism and served on the President’s Advisory Committee to Protect Americans’ Civil Liberties.

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Before joining the Bush Administration, Stewart served as General Counsel to Assistant Senate Majority Leader Don Nickles (R-Okla.), where he played a major role on a wide range of policy issues including law enforcement, commerce, nominations, constitutional law, campaign finance, and telecommunications. He also oversaw the creation and management of the Senate Republican High Tech Task Force. Stewart also served as Counsel to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and to Senate Committee on Rules and Administration Chairman John Warner (R-Va.). Stewart’s private sector experience also includes positions at Vivendi Universal Entertainment and the law firm Baker & Hostetler.

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Stewart holds a degree from Williams College, a J.D. from the University of Virginia, and graduated from the Woodberry Forest School, where he serves on the Board of Trustees and formerly chaired the Board of Advisors.

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Stewart and his wife Jenny live in Washington, D.C. with their three children.