Keith J. Pemrick
“CSP has provided us the best service and helped us meet our goals and build success.”
Keith J. Pemrick
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Keith is a founding member and managing partner of Commonwealth Strategic Partners (CSP). He brings over 20 years of experience working with many facets of the political landscape, including in Congress and leading campaigns, as well as work in the private sector. For his work in 2021, Keith was recognized as one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists, and CSP was recognized as a Top Performing Lobbying Firm by Bloomberg Government.
Keith provides CSP’s clients with government relations expertise, including advice and support on a wide range of legislative and regulatory issues. From 2016-2020, Keith served as the point person in Washington, D.C. for the Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf. As the Governor’s liaison to the Pennsylvania congressional delegation, Keith ensured the delivery of timely and accurate information designed to assist the Governor’s office and the state’s congressional offices as they worked to protect the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians during the COVID- 19 pandemic.
Keith has never been one to shy away from long odds or avoid speaking up as a different voice in the conversation. His tenacity and demeanor came in useful when working for Blue Dog Democrat Congressman Tim Holden (D-PA) in a majority-Republican district. Keith forged bipartisan relationships to advance Congressman Holden’s efforts to best represent his constituents’ interests.
In 2018, he took on the challenge of managing the campaign of Denny Wolff, a Democrat seeking the open Pennsylvania 9th congressional district seat in a district President Trump won with 68%. As campaign manager, Keith developed and implemented the election strategy, oversaw all components of the campaign, and served as campaign spokesperson. While Wolff did not get elected, he forced the Republican establishment to fight in a seat that should have been a lock for them.
Over the years, Keith has become especially adept at issues of transportation, defense, and appropriations. On behalf of his CSP clients, he recently secured legislative language in the National Defense Authorization Act for FY22 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, as well as the most recent FAA Reauthorization Act (2018). During negotiations and passage of the Water Resources & Reform Development Act of 2014, Keith won the inclusion of Qualifications-Based Selection for the first time in the Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund.
The effects of his work are seen every day in the district that he served thanks to his hard-won successes during his time with Congressman Holden. For example, he secured more than $80 million from FY07 through FY10 for critical projects in the congressional district, including the creation of the Penn State Cancer Institute; secured more than $32 million for fire companies in the congressional district through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program; was the point person in bringing nonstop service from Harrisburg International Airport to Denver International Airport through the Small Community Air Service Development Grant Program; and wrote the legislative language included in MAP-21 that allows for state autonomy for culvert pipe selection.
Bringing his expertise to the classroom, Keith serves as an adjunct professor in the School of Public Affairs at American University during the spring and an adjunct professor in the School of Public Affairs at Penn State-Harrisburg during the fall.
Keith sits on the Blue Dog (Democrat) Coalition Steering Committee, is President of the Pennsylvania Society of Washington, DC, serves on the Board of Directors for the non-profit Making a Difference of Lebanon, PA, and is a recipient of the Patrick Henry Award for his outstanding and exceptional service to the Armed Forces of the United States and the National Guard.
Keith holds an M.A. in Public Management from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in Political Science from American University.
Keith lives in Lebanon, PA, with his partner, Carly, her two daughters, and their black lab; he also maintains his residence in Washington, DC.
Top Accomplishments
- Won language in the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act to mandate drug and alcohol testing and background checks of foreign repair station employees
- Secured language in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act recognizing the critical role of private engineering firms and encouraging State and local agencies to partner with private engineering firms.
- Cementing over $33 million in federal funding for the creation of the Cancer Institute at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
- Securing $32.4 million for fire companies in Congressman Tim Holden’s (D-PA) congressional district through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP).
- First-ever inclusion of Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) in the Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).
Career Highlights
- Managing Partner, Commonwealth Strategic Partners
- Director of Environment & Energy Programs, American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
- Legislative Director, Congressman Tim Holden (D-PA)
- Adjunct professor, School of Public Affairs, Government Department – American University
Awards and Affiliations
- Patrick Henry Award, National Guard Association of the United States (2006)
- Congressional Security Scholar, Truman National Security Project (2011)
- American University Congressional Alumni Career Committee (2007-2013)
- Board Member, Pennsylvania Society of Washington, DC
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