Director, HBS Appropriations | Managing Principal
Washington, DC
jariale@hbstrategies.us
John brings more than thirty years of senior level experience in congressional relations, legislative politics and advocacy to Husch Blackwell Strategies. John provides clients a comprehensive knowledge of the intricate and complex details of the appropriations process with policy expertise in the areas of effective foreign assistance, international relations, defense, the foreign assistance framework, global development, global health, homeland security, defense and financial services.
John joined the federal lobbying firm Cloakroom Advisors, LLC after leading Ariale Strategies, LLC. Prior to those endeavors, John served as Congressman Ander Crenshaw’s Chief of Staff and his Appropriations Associate, the Member’s liaison to the House Committee on Appropriations. John worked extensively on the portfolio of issues under the jurisdiction of the Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations, Homeland Security, Financial Services, and Defense.
John worked closely with House Leadership as a result of Chairman Crenshaw’s roles as a House Majority Whip, in his service as a Deputy Whip, and as an Appropriations Chairman’s Associate. His extensive public service in Congress has resulted in a prolific network on Capitol Hill. John has served on the Board of Directors of the House Chief of Staff Association, and as the President of RAMS, the GOP’s highly networked Chiefs of Staff Association.
John was the principal drafter of the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act). He continued to work with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), Autism Speaks, and a broad coalition of stakeholders to pass the legislation in December 2014.
The ABLE Act promotes independent living and community inclusion for people with disabilities and had broad bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. The passage of the landmark ABLE Act will go down in the history books as one of the most successful bipartisan, bicameral advocacy campaigns and one of the most profound changes in the law for disabled Americans in decades. John was honored as NDSS’ 2014 Champion of Change for his leadership efforts and the notably effective he had in advancing the organization’s national commitment to people with Down syndrome. John was also the recipient of the Arc’s Inaugural Catalyst Award in 2015 for the Public Policy Victory of the Year.
John developed legislative proposals to reform international food aid, the United Nations, and reform the evaluation, accountability, and transparency reporting of foreign assistance. He created, developed and coordinated the activities of the Congressional Caucus on Effective Foreign Assistance and implemented all policy briefings and programmatic activities for that caucus as well as the Congressional Nepal Caucus, the International Conservation Caucus and the Congressional Malaria Caucus.
The Hill newspaper has recognized John among Washington’s “Top Lobbyists” in its annual list. John graduated from Stetson University and earned his J.D. from Stetson University’s College of Law.
