(WASHINGTON) – Cornerstone Government Affairs announced today that Rick Zampelli, former Director of the U.S. Army Liaison Office to the U.S. House of Representatives, will be joining its federal government relations team on September 25. Zampelli brings to Cornerstone nearly three decades of experience in the Army and a skilled understanding of navigating Congress and the legislative cycle and informing key legislative stakeholders on policy decisions.
Most recently serving as the Secretary of the Army’s direct representative on Capitol Hill, Zampelli facilitated engagements with Members of Congress and congressional staff, including testimony, key leader engagements, responses to inquiry and oversight and travel. In this role, Zampelli led a diverse team of legislative liaisons with the primary purpose of building trust and confidence with Congress, broadening understanding and advocacy, and obtaining support for the resourcing and authorizing of Army priorities. Notably, Zampelli worked to synchronize the communications and engagement strategy for congressional and Army senior leader engagements.
“I am excited at the opportunity to join the Cornerstone D.C. team,” Zampelli said. “I look forward to assisting our clients develop successful strategies that enable them to deliver advanced warfighting capabilities to our Nation’s Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Guardians.”
Prior to working on Capitol Hill, Zampelli served as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. In this role, he supervised the principal staff of the organization with the primary purpose of providing sustainable materiel readiness across Army aviation and missile units. Previously, Zampelli served as the Brigade Commander of the 128th Aviation Training Brigade in Fort Eustis, Virginia, leading 845 personnel in the annual training and certification of more than 5,500 U.S. and international students in maintenance, logistics and leadership courses. Zampelli previously served as Director, Force 2025, Army Capabilities Integration Center, where he synchronized the Army’s modernization effort through coordinating the organization’s governance processes.
Zampelli’s career as an Aviation Officer also includes service in both conventional aviation units and special operations aviation. He served as Squadron Commander of the 1-17th Cavalry Regiment and served for a decade in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and U.S. Special Operations Command, where he led teams of specially assessed and trained aviators on global missions in direct support of Department of Defense operations.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rick and his experience, expertise and reputation to our team.” Cornerstone CEO Geoff Gonella said. “His three decades of military and legislative service will have an immediate positive impact on our national security clients and our firm.”
Zampelli holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point.