WASHINGTON, DC - Van Scoyoc Associates (VSA) announced today that John “J.P.” Dowd, most recently the Chief of Staff to former Senator and Senate President Pro Tempore, Patrick Leahy (D-VT), is joining the firm. J.P. adds to the firm’s growing roster of senior staff members and policy experts providing high-level strategic advice to clients.

“We are thrilled that J.P. is coming on board” said Jennifer LaTourette, President and Chief Operating Officer of VSA. “J.P. is one of the most well-respected Senate staffers, having spent more than 30 years working for Senator Leahy. He is well-known across the Hill and in the Administration, and the range of policy issues he has worked on is vast. He will be an immediate benefit to the firm and all our current and future clients.”

J.P. began his career working as a Military Legislative Assistant for Senator Leahy and rose through the ranks to become Projects Director, Legislative Director, and ultimately Chief of Staff for the last 10 years. Over that time, Senator Leahy was the Chairman or Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Appropriations Committee and J.P. served as a critical link between Members of the Committees, Committee staff, and the Senator’s personal staff. J.P. also served as a liason for constituents and the business community in Vermont, helping deliver millions of dollars back to the Green Mountain State.

As the top aide to the most senior Democratic Senator, J.P. has been involved in many of the most consequential legislative debates in recent years. J.P. has worked in a bipartisan fashion managing communications and legislative strategies to shepherd priorities from inception to passage. In addition to managing Senator Leahy’s office, J.P. also served as the political designee for the Senator’s 2016 re-election campaign.

“I’m honored to be joining the team at Van Scoyoc Associates and excited to get to work,” Dowd said. “I had the good fortune to work for Senator Leahy and with the remarkable staff who served him in his personal and committee offices as well as his campaign. I look forward to being part of the VSA team on providing strategic advice to our clients and to identify opportunities to influence legislation and policy in Washington.”

Originally from Washington, DC, J.P. received his B.A. from the University of Vermont and his M.B.A. from Georgetown University. J.P. and his wife, Kara, live in Washington, DC with their four children.