David Carmen founded Carmen Group in 1985 and has grown it into the premier independent, bipartisan Washington, DC business and government consulting firm. David has assisted clients with strategic planning and major legislative efforts that have funded projects across the United States and in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. He has participated in groundbreaking initiatives in the areas of tax, homeland security, international trade, postal, transportation, healthcare, education, water, banking and insurance. He has led the firm to develop unique insight and capability in the areas of federal grants and public-private partnerships. David was involved in many of the most difficult issues surrounding the national and local responses to September 11th. He has advised U.S. governors, mayors, congressmen and senators from both parties on policy and served as a political advisor to two presidents.

David has brought an innovative vision to DC consulting—that effective government campaigns must be informed by best practices and business discipline. He was the first principal to recognize that the era of disclosure has marginalized the old boy, horse-trading “access” model of advocacy. He has staffed Carmen Group with expert, bipartisan professionals and instilled a business process that generates superior client results through a rigorous focus on innovation, goals, execution and accountability. His client stewardship approach has elevated the firm’s ability to contribute substantive, long-term, strategic business insight and achieve consistently superior value.

Prior to establishing Carmen Group, David was director of policy and communications for Citizens for America, President Reagan’s grassroots organization. Previously, he was a political and policy speechwriter.

David follows a strong governmental tradition. His father, Gerald, has held posts including Ambassador to the United Nations and Administrator of the General Services Administration.

David is active in local Washington, DC civic affairs. He is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and serves on the board of Community Connections, Washington’s largest private provider of behavioral health services to those in need. He is a past trustee of American University and the National Children’s Museum.

David is a founder of Anonymous Content Inc., which has produced many award-winning commercials, films and music videos including the BMW films.com series “The Hire” and the pictures “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “Babel” and “Fifty First Dates.”

A Manchester, New Hampshire native, David graduated from Sarah Lawrence College. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife Elizabeth and is very proud of his children, Henry, Alex, Isabella and Jackson.