Stewart L. Whitson is a U.S. Army veteran, former federal agent and professor, longtime legal expert, and experienced government relations professional. He brings a decade of experience in military, law enforcement, education, and policymaking to Heritage. As chief of staff to President Kevin D. Roberts, Whitson will serve as chief advisor and strategist to Dr. Roberts, driving a wide range of Heritage initiatives.
As an Infantry Platoon Leader in the U.S. Army, Whitson led 50 soldiers on more than 300 combat missions in Baghdad and throughout Anbar Province, Iraq including a mission that led to the successful rescue of a hostage. He later served in the Minnesota Army National Guard as an Infantry Company Commander before his time as a law clerk in a prosecutor's office in a major metropolitan area.
Whitson spent a decade serving the American people at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), working his way from special agent to acting section chief in the Directorate of Intelligence, where he was charged with overseeing the FBI’s global Human Intelligence (HUMINT) program. After leaving the FBI, Whitson taught a course on Modern Islamic Terrorism as an adjunct professor at the Catholic University of America (CUA).
Most recently, Whitson worked at the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA), an organization committed to advancing reforms to better the lives of Americans. As senior director of federal affairs, Whitson led the team tasked with building relationships and partnering with federal policymakers. He has routinely testified before Congress in public hearings and closed-door committee briefings on issues related to limited-constitutional government, deregulation, and the de-weaponization of the federal government.
Whitson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Minnesota, a J.D. from the University of Minnesota School a Law, a Master of Professional Studies from George Washington University, and a certificate in strategic management from Georgetown University. He is a proud husband and father of five.
