Modern Fortis names Phoebe Johnston vice president

Modern Fortis has hired former House legislative assistant Phoebe Johnston as vice president as the advocacy firm expands its federal and state policy work. The move adds experience in technology, commerce, national security and other policy areas as clients face overlapping issues in government action.

Why it matters: - Modern Fortis is adding a senior policy hand as demand grows for advocacy on issues where technology, commerce, supply chains and public safety overlap. - Johnston brings congressional experience that can help clients track legislation, shape strategy and respond faster to federal and state policy shifts.

What happened: - Modern Fortis appointed Phoebe Johnston as vice president. - Johnston joins after serving as a legislative assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives. - The firm said Johnston will support federal and state advocacy work with policy analysis, legislative intelligence and strategic counsel.

The details: - Johnston most recently managed legislative portfolios for the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology and Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade. - Her portfolio covered commercial and entertainment issues, telecommunications, spectrum policy, data privacy, artificial intelligence, supply chains and domestic manufacturing competitiveness. - Johnston also handled a cross-committee portfolio spanning agriculture, natural resources, judiciary and oversight, financial services, armed services, veterans affairs and foreign affairs. - Her House work included briefing memoranda, vote recommendations, hearing questions and floor statements. - Johnston represented her office in meetings with committee staff, federal agencies, stakeholders and coalition partners. - She led Community Project Funding efforts with local governments and community leaders. - Earlier in her House service, Johnston covered agriculture, education, workforce and labor, financial services and banking, Social Security, election security, small business, and science, space and technology. - She also monitored regulatory and legislative developments tied to agriculture, forestry, wildlife, land use and rural development. - Johnston graduated summa cum laude from Hillsdale College with a Bachelor of Science in economics, departmental honors and a minor in biology. - Her background includes fellowships and programs with the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, the Property and Environment Research Center, the Charles Koch Foundation and Hillsdale College’s conservation program. - Johnston is pursuing a part-time law degree at The George Washington University Law School, with interest in international, trade and national security law.

Between the lines: - Modern Fortis is signaling that it wants deeper expertise in complex policy areas that are driving more of the advocacy market. - Johnston’s mix of committee work, coalition outreach and policy drafting suggests the firm is prioritizing people who can move between substantive analysis and legislative execution. - Frank Russo, partner and principal at Modern Fortis, said Johnston’s background across technology, commerce and national security will strengthen the firm’s ability to build strategies and deliver results. - Johnston said she is joining a team that pairs policy expertise with an action-oriented approach to advocacy.

What's next: - Johnston will help Modern Fortis clients navigate federal and state policy debates as lawmakers weigh issues tied to artificial intelligence, communications, supply chains, competitiveness and public safety. - The firm is likely to use her congressional experience to deepen its advocacy work across multiple levels of government. - More information