Christopher A. Bohanon

Senior Director, Governmental Issues*

Chris Bohanon provides government policy advice and representation on federal legislative and regulatory issues, with special emphasis on energy, environmental, transportation, and natural resource matters.

For over fifteen years, Chris has worked to move legislative initiatives through Congress on a variety of issues by increasing and improving communication between affected organizations and Members of Congress and their staffs. Among Chris’s recent or ongoing client issues at Van Ness Feldman include:

• Assisting a cellulosic ethanol producer in its effort to develop a commercial-scale ethanol facility.
• Advocating for “captive” rail shipper relief and broadening the legislative jurisdiction parameters of the effort.
• Fostering legislative relations between senior executives of a Fortune 15 health care company and Members of Congress.
• Informing and educating Members of Congress from states that will be affected by the construction of the largest natural gas pipeline in the country.
• Building a coalition around the issues of affordable, fair, and accessible communications service.
• Facilitating economic development for a riverside county.

Professional Background

Prior to joining Van Ness Feldman, Chris worked for 8 years at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in roles as Principal, Legislative Advocacy and Director, Outreach Affairs.  At NRECA, he worked on legislative initiatives including the 1996 and 2002 House and Senate farm bills, and the House and Senate energy bills — including the Indian Energy title and the overall impacts of FERC jurisdiction and electric transmission pricing policies.  He also liaised with the Congressional Rural Caucus and the National Rural Network.

Government Service

Legislative Director, Congresswoman Pat Danner (D-MO), U.S. House of Representatives, 1994-1996

Legislative Director, Congressman Glenn English (D-OK), U.S. House of Representatives, 1987-1994