Senior Vice President of Government Affairs

John Shea IV

John Shea is a Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at AxAdvocacy, where he leads federal advocacy efforts across industries, with a particular focus on transportation, infrastructure, energy, and defense. He has played a key role in expanding the firm’s aviation practice, serving clients across fixed-wing, rotor-wing, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in both commercial and defense sectors.

With over a decade of experience in senior policy roles across government and industry, John develops and executes strategies to help clients navigate complex legislative, regulatory, and budgetary processes. His expertise includes federal appropriations, policy development, and positioning organizations for success in government contracting and public-sector partnerships.

Prior to joining AxAdvocacy, John was Senior Director of Government Affairs at Vertical Aviation International (VAI), advocating before Congress and federal agencies on safety regulations, workforce training, and emerging technologies. He also shaped policies for sectors reliant on vertical aviation, including energy, healthcare, and emergency response.

Previously, John led government affairs for NASAO, a national organization representing state aviation agencies, where he was responsible for securing federal funding for aviation infrastructure and operational priorities. He worked closely with state officials and federal stakeholders to shape policies impacting airports, airspace management, and transportation funding mechanisms.

John began his career on Capitol Hill, working for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX), Representative Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), and Representative Stephen Fincher (TN-08). He advised Fincher on a broad policy portfolio and served as Fleischmann’s lead staffer for his LHHS and DHS Appropriations Subcommittee assignments. He also supported Hutchison’s legislative and communications teams, advancing key policy initiatives and external engagement.