David Urban

David Urban (born March 6, 1964) is an American lobbyist, consultant, political strategist, and senior political commentator for CNN. He serves as the managing director of BGR Group, of counsel at Torridon Law, and as an Operating Partner at Smash Capital. Urban served as executive vice president for North American Corporate Affairs at ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. He serves on the boards of directors of publicly traded companies Virtu Financial (NYSE: VIRT), SAIC (NASDAQ: SAIC), and Eos Energy Enterprises (NASDAQ: EOSE), as well as the private company SubCom. Urban also serves on the boards of the nonprofit Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, and the International Republican Institute.

Urban served as a senior advisor to the 2016 Donald Trump presidential campaign and helped orchestrate the 2016 Republican National Convention in a successful effort to win Pennsylvania. He also advised Trump's 2020 and 2024 re-election campaigns.

Early life and education

Urban is the son of a union steelworker and a native of Aliquippa, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. He was recruited to play football at Harvard University, but opted to instead attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he was featured in the Black Knights' 1982 media guide.

Career

Military career

Urban served as an artillery officer in the United States Army's 101st Airborne Division,

Early legal career Urban began his legal career as an attorney at Ballard Spahr, a public finance attorney from 1994 to 1997.

He is an active member of the Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. bars and is admitted to practice before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

Political career Urban's political career started in 1997, when he became chief of staff to U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA). ' White House Chief of Staff, and Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. It was frequently reported that Trump was considering Urban to replace Reince Priebus, and later John Kelly, as White House Chief of Staff.

In May 2018, he was appointed by President Trump to the board of the American Battle Monuments Commission, and in July 2018, he was elevated by Trump to be chairman of that commission. He led U.S. commemorative efforts for World War I and World War II anniversaries, including the 100th anniversary of the Armistice and the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings and the Battle of the Bulge.

In August 2019, Trump appointed Urban to the Board of Trustees (Board of Visitors) of the United States Military Academy.

Recognitions Urban was recognized on The Hill's "Top Lobbyists" list for several years and was described by The New York Times as a "prominent Republican lobbyist." Campaigns & Elections characterized him as a "Mover and Shaker," while Politics Magazine identified him as a "Top Influencer." Washingtonian Magazine listed him among the most influential figures shaping policy in Washington, and Corporate Board Member Magazine named him one of "Washington's Top 10 Lobbyists."

He was also included in Board Prospects ' "50 Military Board Members Making a Difference." Roll Call described him as an influential Republican moderate and pragmatist, PoliticsPA referred to him as a "powerhouse lobbyist," and Philadelphia Magazine noted his influence among members of Congress. In 2016, Politico included him in its list of the "30 most powerful people in Trump's Washington." '' He was listed among Washington Magazine's 500 Most Influential People of 2025 and 2026. He was profiled by Philadelphia Magazine, noting that "when Urban talks, Members of Congress listen."