About Chris

Chris Barry has more than 17 years in the communications, graphic design, and public policy space. Chris came to Ward Circle from Florida, where he worked on issues across the policy spectrum for several nonprofits.

Most recently, Chris spent 11 years at Florida TaxWatch, a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank in Florida’s capitol city of Tallahassee. A one-man internal PR shop, Chris was responsible for the design and layout of every research report, marketing document, and piece of signage produced, as well as leading multiple program teams, events, and building and managing several websites for the organization.

Prior to TaxWatch, Chris spent two and a half years as a Sr. Policy Advisor for The Nature Conservancy’s Florida Chapter. Focusing on land management and invasive species policy, Chris was one of two policy representatives before the Florida Legislature, helping drive conservation efforts in a state that boasts not only the Everglades, but has 1/3 of the state designated for conservation space.

Chris’s career has also included stints at the Florida Trucking Association, the Capitol office of a state Senator, and the former Florida Department of Community Affairs.

Chris has a Masters in Applied American Politics and Policy from Florida State University, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Washington & Jefferson College. He lives in Rockville, MD with his wife Angie, their two young boys, and super-mutt Hammond, who is objectively awesome.

Career Highlights

• Florida TaxWatch, Vice President of Communications & External Affairs
• The Nature Conservancy, Sr. Policy Advisor
• Florida Trucking Association, Policy and Research Coordinator
• Office of Florida State Senator Alex Villalobos, District Representative
• Florida Department of Community Affairs, Legislative Associate

3 Fun Facts

• An avid maker, builder, and amateur welder, his must-have when looking for houses in the DMV was a workshop. He ended up having to build one.
• He helps lead and competes in two international sim auto racing leagues, spanning from Argentina to Great Britain.
• One of his high school classmates is now the King of Bhutan.