Austin Smythe

Austin Smythe has over 30 years of experience working in the federal government in both the legislative and executive branches. After nearly 40 years in Washington, DC, Mr. Smythe has been involved in government policy-making from multiple angles.

Mr. Smythe worked for Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) as Policy Director in the Office of the Speaker from October 2015 to January 2019. In the Speaker’s Office, Mr. Smythe led a staff of eight that was responsible for policy development and legislation across a range of priority issues. He worked with Ryan in other capacities including a year as Policy Director for the House Ways and Means Committee and a seven-year stint as House Budget Committee Staff Director.

Previously, Mr. Smythe served as the Executive Associate Director at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from 2001 to 2007 where he oversaw the development and execution of the President’s budget and managed OMB’s agency budget. In June 2003, the President designated Mr. Smythe as Acting Director of OMB until the new director was confirmed. Prior to OMB, Mr. Smythe worked on the budget transition team after serving on the Policy Staff for George W. Bush’s 2000 Presidential campaign.

Mr. Smythe was a Vice President in the Lehman Brothers Equity Research Division from 1999 through 2000, where he monitored and analyzed legislative and regulatory issues. From 1984 to 1999, he worked on the Senate Budget Committee staff for Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM). During his nearly 16 years at the committee, he started as an energy, environment, and natural resources analyst, assumed the counsel’s responsibilities for the committee, and concluded his tenure with the committee as an Assistant Staff Director. Prior to joining the Senate Budget Committee, Mr. Smythe worked for three years at an energy and environmental consulting firm in Washington, DC.

In 2018, Speaker Ryan and House Democratic Leader Pelosi (D-CA) presented Mr. Smythe the John C. McCormack Award of Excellence for service and bipartisan dedication to the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2016, he received the Distinguished Public Service Alumni Award from the LBJ School of Public Affairs/University of Texas.

Mr. Smythe received his master’s degree in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and his bachelor’s degree in Government from the University of Texas.