David Kennett
Having spent nearly a decade on Capitol Hill, David Kennett uses his comprehensive understanding on the inner-workings of Congress and federal agencies to benefit his clients where their needs intersect with federal actions.
David left his post as Representative Ken Calvert's legislative director in 2003. After spending five years at a large lobbying firm, he joined Capitol Dynamics in 2008. While on Capitol Hill, David worked closely with much of the California Congressional delegation and staff as well as many of the members and staff of the House Resources, Science, and Armed Services Committees. He specialized in natural resource issues and appropriations with focuses on community development, transportation, environment, and water development. Under David's tenure as legislative director, Representative Calvert shepherded a number of bills into law and secured millions of dollars in federal appropriations for his congressional district.
David has worked with members from both parties on important legislative efforts which benefit local governments such as exempting regional Habitat Conservation Plans from Section 7 consultations under the Endangered Species Act. He also advises his clients as they interface with federal agencies, helping a number of clients avoid negative impacts of regulations. Examples include ensuring a number of clients' property or interests are not declared “critical habitat” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and, through Congressional action, compelling the Pentagon to abide by a new and untested law related to land management. He also has assisted his clients to secure millions of dollars of appropriations for projects such as business incubators, new roads, educational facility upgrades and expansions, water infrastructure, and numerous other capital improvements.
David graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Literature from Wheaton College in 1993. He resides in Newport Beach, California. David is married to Catherine and has two children, Carolyn and David, Jr.