Virginia Chamber of Commerce names public policy director

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce announced Friday it has named Ryan Fierst to the newly created role of public policy director.

In her new position, Fierst will develop the chamber’s public policy agenda at the federal and state levels. She will  focus primarily on education, workforce development, and the Virginia state budget.

“Over the last five years, we have grown from representing about 1,000 member companies to 23,500 today, and that growth has allowed us to increase the scope of our advocacy,” Barry DuVal, president and CEO of the Virginia Chamber, said in a statement.  “Ryan has a deep understanding of state and federal law, which will help us implement the goals in the Chamber’s Blueprint Virginia business plan for the commonwealth and put Virginia on a course for long-term economic growth.”

Fierst has more than 14 years of experience in public policy, law, and politics. Prior to joining the chamber, Fierst worked on Capitol Hill as counsel for the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property, and as legislative director to two U.S. Congressmen from Florida.

Fierst also worked as staff attorney for the Florida House of Representatives Education Committee in Tallahassee, Fla.

While living in the commonwealth, Ryan worked in private practice and also held leadership positions on Virginia state and federal campaigns.

Fierst received her law degree from Regent University. She is a member of the Florida bar.