David Kovatch

Head of DC Office

David is the Head of DC Office at Mission Strategies and founder of the DC CleanTech newsletter. David has developed deep energy sector expertise working at the intersection of clean energy deployment, supply chains, and national security spanning the last three Administrations.

Prior to joining Mission, David was a Senior Advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office where he focused on topics related to national security, economic competitiveness, market intelligence, risk mitigation, and international affairs. David coordinated LPO’s efforts to develop key domestic critical mineral supply chains, including leading the policy process resulting in the announcement that LPO can support critical minerals mining and extraction activities under the Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Program.

David previously served on the White House National Security Council, where he held positions as the Director for Energy Transformation and Director for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Policy and Diplomacy. In this capacity, David advanced energy trade policies, helped coordinate IRA tax credit guidance, and led the Administration’s IRA diplomatic outreach and messaging with international partners and allies. At the White House, David also helped develop measures to enhance energy security in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including coordinating the Administration’s policy to ban Russian energy imports and exclude Russian vessels at U.S. ports.

Prior to his term at the White House, David served as the Department of Energy (DOE) Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, where he helped U.S. companies, investors, and exporters navigate the Mexican energy policy landscape. He also established and led the DOE office at the U.S. Embassy in London where he partnered with the UK government and U.S. companies and trade associations to deploy major clean energy investments. David also served as a DOE Senior Advisor for Western Hemisphere energy issues. Before his career in energy, David managed international nuclear nonproliferation projects and served as a strategic advisor to the Deputy Administrator in the National Nuclear Security Administration.

David holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a Bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is an Americorps alumni and speaks Spanish and Swedish.