Washington University names director of federal relations

Jan. 25, 2008 -- Jason M. Van Wey has been appointed director of federal relations at Washington University in St. Louis, announced Pamela S. Lokken, vice chancellor for government and community relations.

Van Wey will oversee Washington University's day-to-day communications with the U.S. Congress and executive branch agencies on national legislative and regulatory policies and issues.

Jason Van Wey

He will continue building the university's presence, reputation and leadership role in Washington, D.C., and serve as an advocate for the university's major public policy priorities.

"Jason is widely regarded as one of the top young professionals in the area of university federal relations," Lokken said. "He will help raise the profile of Washington University at the federal level and serve as a resource for faculty and staff regarding how the federal government's regulations and policies relate to their work.

"Given that the federal government is our largest single source of financial support — including research and clinical revenue as well as financial aid assistance — and that it is our largest source of regulation and compliance requirements, the university is well served with the increased attention to federal relations that Jason will provide," Lokken said.

Van Wey also will work closely with national organizations that address the priorities of universities such as the Association of American Universities, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the American Council on Education.

"I am very excited about this great opportunity," Van Wey said. "Washington University is widely recognized as one of the top research institutions in the world, and I look forward to helping the university community apply its expertise to the challenges facing the federal government and our country."

Van Wey most recently worked for Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)'s Washington, D.C., office as assistant director. His duties included advocating MIT's interests to federal entities and national associations, communicating legislative and regulatory developments to MIT senior faculty and staff and assisting MIT senior staff in the development of university positions on federal issues.

Before joining MIT in 2003, Van Wey worked for a business and political consulting firm in Washington, D.C., and was a legislative assistant for a U.S. senator.

He spent time in Paris, France, from 1999-2000, where he completed an international business management program at College des Ingenieurs and worked as a consultant for AXA, an international insurance company.

Van Wey earned a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Ohio State University in 1997 and a master of science in technology and policy from MIT in 1999.