Holten Stringer returns to Van Scoyoc Associates (VSA) as an Associate Vice President (AVP) and leading AI advisor, bringing with him a wealth of experience in federal AI policy. Most recently, Holten served as Majority Professional Staff on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee where he directed the Speaker’s Bipartisan Task Force on AI. In this role, he led a group of 24 Members of Congress through panels to develop comprehensive AI policy solutions. Holten worked across Committees (including Energy & Commerce, Financial Services, Judiciary, Armed Services, and many more) as well as with House Leadership, in a bipartisan fashion, to be the primary co-author of the Task Force’s influential report to Congress. His experience has led him to develop bipartisan working relationships with agency officials under both the Biden and Trump Administrations, as well as leading technology experts from Congress and industry. In his role as AVP, Holten will support a diverse range of the firm’s clients on issues including emerging technologies, federal research and development, higher education, and regional innovation.
In addition to his leadership of the AI Task Force, Holten oversaw all non-defense and non-healthcare federal research and development – specifically within the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) at the White House. He served on several panels, guest speaking to education and workforce development coalitions, as well as university systems. Additionally, he co-authored and advanced pivotal AI legislation through Committee, such as the NSF AI Education Act, the CREATE AI Act, the Small Business AI Advancement Act, the LIFT Act, and the AI Reliability and Advancement Act.
Before his time in the House and his previous role at VSA, Holten began his legislative experience working for Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) during the 116th and 117th Congresses. He played a central role in developing and implementing the Shuttered Venues Operators Grant Program, also known as the Save Our Stages Act, which offered a $15 billion lifeline for entertainment venues and operators struggling through COVID-19 shutdowns. Holten also worked on a number of provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act including increased cyber security measures against foreign entities, and improved loan and bond programs for infrastructure projects. As Grants Coordinator, Holten was successful in helping stakeholders receive more than $200 million in discretionary grants.
Originally from Flower Mound, TX, Holten received his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Texas A&M University and is also a licensed realtor.
