Donald H. Kent Jr. is a vice president at Navigators Global, based out of the Washington, D.C. office where he heads up the Homeland Security practice.  In this role, Mr. Kent provides strategic, policy, and communication counsel to corporations, associations and other clients as they work with the Department of Homeland Security on issues related to transportation, security, cyber, technology, emergency management, and immigration, among others.  Mr. Kent focuses primarily on governmental relations and business development.
 
Prior to joining Navigators, Mr. Kent served as Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.  Mr. Kent first joined the Department in January 2004 in the Office of Legislative Affairs as the Deputy Assistant Secretary.  In his role as Assistant Secretary, Mr. Kent was responsible for all interaction with Congress during the Department’s numerous operations and response activities.  He served as the Principal legislative advisor to Secretary Chertoff, and as his spokesman to the 86 Congressional committees and subcommittees that oversee the Department of Homeland Security.    
 
Mr. Kent lead Departmental efforts in Congress surrounding significant legislation, in particular, legislation implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, and the Secure Border Initiative.
 
Mr. Kent was also responsible for legislative coordination among the Department’s seven operating components including the Transportation Security Administration, Coast Guard, Secret Service, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Federal Emergency Management Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
 
Prior to his work at DHS, Mr. Kent spent 8 years on Capitol Hill working in senior positions including Policy Advisor and Director of Transportation Policy for the Assistant Majority Leader, Senator Don Nickles (R-OK).  He also worked for Representative Frank Lucas (OK).
 
While working for Senator Nickles, Mr. Kent contributed to a number of Homeland Security issues including the Homeland Security Act of 2003, FEMA Authorization, Coast Guard Authorization, and numerous aviation security bills.  He was also responsible for the management of appropriations bills that included Transportation, Energy and Water, Interior and Agriculture.
 
For his service to DHS, Mr. Kent received the Secretary's Award from Secretary Michael Chertoff, the Meritorious Public Service Award from the United States Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen (the second highest civilian award given) and a distinguished service award from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Assistant Secretary Julie Myers.
 
A native of Alexandria, Va., Mr. Kent graduated from Roanoke University in 1995 with a double major in criminal justice and sociology.