Todd D. Willens, Principal

A noted expert on natural resource and wildlife policy, both domestic and international, Todd brings 17 years of federal policy experience to Washington Strategies, LLC.

Previously, Willens served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks at the United States Department of the Interior from 2006 – 2008 where he provided overall policy direction to the National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service on the application of conservation measures in a complex, ever-changing political, economic, and social environment. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks has the lead responsibility within the Federal government for ensuring the protection and stewardship of the national park and wildlife refuge systems; preservation of cultural resources; and conservation of Federal trust species of fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats, including those listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. With this responsibility Willens demonstrated a careful balance of differing needs and viewpoints and made professional judgments, often resolving conflicting points of view.

Additionally, Willens served as Senior Policy Director for the United States House of Representatives Committee on Resources from 2003 to 2006, acting as senior staff advisor to the Committee’s Chairman and Majority Members on all legislative and policy issues under the Committee’s jurisdiction. Willens focused on all measures before the Committee pertaining to oversight, implementation and reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act and other preeminent wildlife statutes.

Willens also served as Legislative Director to Congressman Richard W. Pombo (R-CA) working in this office from 1995 through 2000. During this period, Congressman Pombo served as a member of the House Committee on Resources and as Chairman of the Livestock and Horticulture Subcommittee of the House Committee on Agriculture.

Willens began working on Capitol Hill in 1991 as a staff aide for Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-CA), who at that time, served on the House Committee on Appropriations and the House Permanent Select Intelligence Committee.

Off the Hill, Todd joined Feld Entertainment, Inc. in 2001, where he ran the Government Relations department. As Vice President, Willens represented the company’s interests before local, state, federal and international legislatures and regulatory bodies on issues affecting corporate operations, immigration, animal welfare, wildlife conservation and related policy.

Willens received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1994 and he currently resides in Colorado with his wife, four children and Labrador retriever.