Rory is a veteran brand and political strategist with expertise earned from high-level advising and consulting roles. At Purple, he leads advocacy and reputation campaigns for some of the world’s most recognized corporations and issue-based organizations. Rory joined Purple after serving as Communications Director for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, where he advised leadership on the party’s agenda and legislative priorities. As part of the original staff in the Office for Homeland Security at the White House, Rory played a central role in the creation of the Department of Homeland Security in the aftermath of 9/11. Rory has led communications and strategy for The Heritage Foundation. He served as a senior policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy and the director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at NASA. Along the way, he’s worked on several presidential campaigns. Rory appears regularly as a political commentator on CNN, Fox News, CNBC and MSNBC, and is also is a regular columnist for The Daily Beast. He’s a graduate of Tulane University.

“Campaigns depend on speed, planning, collaboration and decisiveness. If you can create a balance of these elements, your chances of achieving objectives become exponentially greater.”

“You cannot underestimate the value of differing perspectives, especially in this polarized era. Audiences and partisans don’t always behave predictably, so a diverse team representing different experiences and biases is an indispensable advantage for Purple.”

“Whether it’s for a local mayor or president, work on a campaign at least once in your life. No other experience gives you a greater sense of teamwork, pressure, community and planning that can be leveraged in so many other jobs. And it’s fun. Plus, you’ll make some life-long friends.”