As senior vice president, Government Affairs, Mr. Christenson leads the development and implementation of the company’s federal government affairs agenda. He officially joined American Express in February 2004. Mr. Christenson most recently served as senior vice president for Regulatory Policy at Fannie Mae. In this role, he managed Fannie Mae’s relationship with federal regulators and developed the company’s policy positions in areas including financial markets, the regulation and governance of financial institutions, and the expansion of affordable housing. Prior to joining Fannie Mae in 1999, Mr. Christenson served as chief of staff to then Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich. Before this, he served as chief of staff to former Congressman Vin Weber, a member of the House Leadership, and as legislative director for former Senator Rudy Boshwitz. He also served as chief lobbyist for the public advocacy group American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Mr. Christenson is a graduate of St. Olaf College.