Mark Van de Water

Mark Van de Water is a Senior Public Policy Advisor in the Firm's Washington, D.C. office. Prior to joining Baker Donelson, Mr. Van de Water served as principal advisor to Senator Thad Cochran and members and staff of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. In this role, Mr. Van de Water advised the Subcommittee on issues and funding concerning the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Protection and Programs Directorate, and Science and Technology. During this time he was responsible for making recommendations to the members of the Homeland Security Subcommittee and full Appropriations Committee on the appropriation of $36 billion in annual federal homeland security funding and programs. Mr. Van de Water was Executive Director of the Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission, which is an important regional policy making organization and a leader in transportation forecasting and planning, hazard mitigation planning, regional housing policies, and environmental stewardship. He was also Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation's (OPIC) Investment Development Department, where he was instrumental in growing a global portfolio to more than $18 billion in 96 countries. As Vice President, Mark was responsible for managing an international staff and an annual budget of more than $35 million. For five years, beginning in 1991, Mr. Van de Water worked closely with the Senate Committee on Appropriations as Deputy Staff Director and as Professional Staff. Prior to that, from 1986 to1991, he served as Legislative Assistant for Congressman Les AuCoin and played a leading staff role in support of Congressman AuCoin's position on the Defense Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.