Matt Keelen

Matt Keelen, the founder and President of the government affairs firm the Keelen Group, has joined forces with Capitol Management as a strategic partner. Keelen is a widely known and highly regarded lobbyist and political strategist with over 20 years experience building relationships with key figures and a reputation for consistently delivering hard–earned victories.

Keelen’s ability to effectively navigate the landscape between legislative policy and political reality has made him a respected and sought after voice, not only in Washington D.C. but around the country. Acknowledged for his innate ability to establish and develop long lasting political relationships, Keelen has dozens of time–tested relationships with Members of Congress, including many who are in positions of considerable influence today. Currently there are over 50 members serving in the House and Senate that Keelen assisted in getting to Washington.

As government affairs professional Keelen has a proven track record of success with his work on the Pension Reform Act of 2005 standing out as a significant highlight. His ability access key Congressional Committee’s such as the Ways and Means Committee, the Commerce Committee, the Committee on Small Business, and the Committee on Armed Services make Keelen extremely valuable to his clients.

Throughout his career Keelen has been recognized by both his peers and outside observers for his outstanding networking ability and real world political acumen. He was named a "Rising Star of Politics" and was profiled as a "Mover and Shaker" by Campaigns and Elections magazine. The Hill newspaper has also repeatedly named Keelen one of the top 50 lobbyists in Washington, D.C.

Keelen’s years of experience and expertise have led to appearances on such national programs as "The Kudlow Report," "Fox and Friends," "The Rush Limbaugh Show," "The John Gibson Show," and countless political radio shows. His political commentary has also been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, and Roll Call.

Before moving into government affairs, Keelen spent 10 years as a political fundraiser and operative. In December 1997, he founded Keelen Communications, a political consulting firm that totaled over 200 political victories. His work for such notable campaigns as Paul Ryan for Congress, Roger Wicker for Senate, and Jim DeMint for Senate cemented his status as a superior campaign professional.

Keelen’s political skills and performance have been sought after by national political committees and have secured him high level consulting roles at the RNC, NRCC, NRSC, and the Rudy Giuliani presidential campaign.

Keelen received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Loyola College in Maryland and a Master’s Degree in Political Management from The George Washington University. He also served as an adjunct professor at the George Washington University where he taught a graduate level course for GWU’s School of Political Management (GSPM).

A native of Ocean Township, N.J., Keelen resides in Falls Church, Va., with his wife Jennifer, and daughters Riley and Madison.