About
Leveraging subject-matter expertise and network of DC relationships to achieve client success in public policy.
Travis launched Acumen Strategies in September 2024 with the goal of delivering expert advocacy services to clients with a high level of client attention. Having most recently served as co-chair of the financial services practice at a large lobbying firm in Washington, DC, Travis honed the skills necessary to drive client success: managing broad-based campaigns and coalitions using grassroots and grasstops engagement; engaging House and Senate leadership or committee chairs in top-down strategies; identifying and developing individual champions and caucuses in Congress to drive home “niche” public policy ideas; and working with agencies via the formal regulatory process and informal advocacy to highlight strengths and weaknesses of proposed rules and administrative frameworks.
Travis previously spent seven years on Capitol Hill in senior positions: at the Senate Banking Committee working for Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC); as general counsel to the House Financial Services Committee under Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX); and as the deputy staff director to the House Judiciary Committee under Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX). In these roles, Travis engaged deeply on a wide range of policy topics, including banking, tax, trade, technology, bankruptcy, and intellectual property policy.
Before coming to Capitol Hill, Travis was an attorney at an AmLaw 30 firm, where he represented debtors and creditors in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, negotiated secured financing agreements, and advised clients on business capitalization strategies.
Our Approach
Acumen Strategies delivers lobbying and regulatory advocacy services with the expertise of a large firm but a highly tailored approach to client service. We are not a backseat passenger; we are your proactive, nimble, and smart co-pilot, helping you think through the issues, peer around the corners, and maximize your strategic efficiency.
We leverage a vast, bipartisan network of close relationships on Capitol Hill and various agencies and draw on our subject matter expertise in financial services, technology, and trade policy to drive client success. We work with clients to identify their goals, then together develop effective strategies and tactics to win the argument, benchmark progress, and demonstrate value.
Mindful that businesses’ government relations budgets are often stretched, we are committed to maximizing value for our clients by competing for your business and exceeding expectations in the services we deliver.
01
Set Goals.
We learn your business forward and backward. We listen. We help you set reasonable goals for the next few weeks, months, and year.
02
Strategize.
With goals in place, we leverage our experience with the legislative and regulatory processes to develop a tailored strategy. We map out key stakeholders and identify the resources we need.
03
Execute.
We press play on our strategy and take the field. We process feedback, take wins where we can get them, and pivot as challenges arise. We stay nimble. And we always remain accountable to our goals.