For Thomas Rothe, public affairs was a part of everyday life growing up in the Washington, D.C. area. His great-grandfather, James Malone, was deeply involved in early brewers’ trade associations, and his mother spent decades leading government relations for a major fertilizer company, shaping global trade reforms and advising on complex agricultural policy. Hearing about hearings, negotiations and policy debates around the dinner table gave Thomas an early sense of the impact advocacy can have.
Those experiences stayed with him. After studying at Grinnell College in Iowa, where he also competed as an NCAA swimmer, Thomas returned to D.C. knowing he wanted to build a career in government relations. After working a series of campaigns, Thomas landed at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, where he began as a legislative assistant and quickly grew into a lobbying role. Thomas worked on issues ranging from crop insurance as part of the 2018 Farm Bill to right-to-repair, mastering a highly technical portfolio of keen importance to insurers, farmers and consumers.
Today, as the Public Affairs Officer at a global commercial insurer AXA XL, Thomas works on U.S. and EU policy developments. He is also earning his JD at The Catholic University of America, deepening his understanding of financial regulation, systemic risk and legislative drafting—skills he sees as essential to his future as a senior government relations professional.
“The Bryce Harlow Foundation’s mission resonates so strongly because ethical lobbying is central to my approach,” Thomas said. As a Fellow, he’s enjoyed connecting with peers across sectors and learning from his mentor, Francis Creighton, whose guidance has blended career strategy with life advice.
