Shawn M. Ferguson
Federal Government Affairs Manager
Shawn Ferguson is a Federal Government Affairs Manager for DMGS in its Washington, DC office. He has extensive legislative experience as a former Senior Advisor in the U.S. Senate and as a Legislative Director in the U.S. House. He is also a veteran of numerous local, state and national political campaigns.
Experience
While attending college, Shawn worked on multiple local and statewide campaigns, including his own race for the North Dakota House of Representatives at the age of 20. Following his graduation from the University of North Dakota, he was hired as a staff member in U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad's (D-ND) Fargo, North Dakota, office. In that role, he worked on a number of local projects and grant requests, represented Senator Conrad with constituent groups and worked on direct constituent service matters. During his time in Fargo, Shawn took a leave from Senator Conrad's staff and served as the North Dakota State Field Director for General Wesley Clark's 2004 presidential campaign.
Following his six years in Fargo, Senator Conrad promoted Shawn to work as a Legislative Assistant and State Liaison out of his Washington, DC office. His initial responsibilities included transportation, small-business and veterans' legislation as well as serving as the senator's liaison to local and statewide elected officials throughout North Dakota. Shawn advanced to the position of Senior Advisor to the Senator, and was given additional responsibility for all statewide economic development projects. Additionally, in his role as Political Designee, he assisted with fundraising for Senator Conrad's leadership PAC and reelection committee. During his time with Senator Conrad, Shawn was the lead staffer on two pieces of enacted veterans' legislation as well as a transportation research program authorization in the 2008 Farm Bill, and he was the lead State Delegation staffer in securing the federal matching share for a $35 million state veterans' home.
Following his time in the U.S. Senate, Shawn was hired to serve as Legislative Director for U.S. Representative Brian Baird (D-WA). As Representative Baird's Legislative Director, Shawn was the lead policy analyst and advisor, directed legislative strategy and represented Representative Baird at legislative strategy meetings with House leadership staff.
Shawn is a member of the Sons of the American Legion and a former member of the Fargo Theatre Board of Directors, served as a Core Committee Member for the WDAY World War II Honor Flights and has been a hospice volunteer.
Education
Shawn was raised on a family farm near Park River, North Dakota, and graduated from the University of North Dakota.
