Drew Goesl B.S.P.A.’98 joined the Arkansas Alumni Association National Board of Directors in July 2024 and serves on the public and external relations committees.
Since graduating from the Sam M. Walton College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in public administration, Goesl has called our nation’s capital home for over 25 years. Due to his extensive background in Capitol Hill politics, he has earned a reputation as a highly regarded and experienced player in Washington. He has shaped effective messaging strategies, achieved legislative success at the highest levels of government, and been deeply engaged in most major policy debates in Washington over the past quarter century.
Goesl is a partner at the government relations firm Capitol Counsel, where he has specialized in government affairs, corporate strategic advisement, issue advocacy and public relations for the past 15 years. Clients regularly seek robust relationships with members of Congress and staff on both sides of the aisle, the administration and the national media. He has represented a variety of clients across the spectrum, from Fortune 500 companies to non-profit organizations.
Growing up in Texarkana, Arkansas, Goesl was interested and involved in politics from a young age, and he has spent a lifetime cultivating his political instincts. Prior to joining Capitol Counsel, Goesl spent a decade on Capitol Hill working for the Arkansas Congressional Delegation. He began his career in Washington as press secretary and communications director to U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln. He capped his Capitol Hill tenure as Chief of Staff to 4th District Congressman Mike Ross.
Goesl attributes much of his exposure to national politics to his time as a student at the university. “There was just a unique dynamic playing out when I was at Arkansas that helped spark my interest in Washington,” Goesl said. “The state of Arkansas literally felt like the center of the political universe at the time. From the excitement of President Bill Clinton in the White House to my summer internship with Senator David Pryor the great statesman, to my friendship with my academic advisor Professor Ann Henry, and her remarkable political insight — all of this helped open my eyes to opportunities in Washington, and that’s really when I was bit by the bug, so to speak. I am truly grateful to the university for the foundation of support it helped provide me, along with the doors it helped open.”
“We were delighted to ask Drew to join our National Board of Directors, and he jumped in quickly to support the Arkansas Alumni Association and its valuable work,” said Brandy Cox M.A.’07, Ph.D.’23, associate vice chancellor and executive director of the Arkansas Alumni Association. “His vast network and vantage point from Washington is a tremendous asset to our efforts to increase support, connections and relationships for and among our alumni,”
Goesl is a Life Member of the Arkansas Alumni Association. He resides in Chevy Chase, Washington, D.C., with his wife, Robin, and their two children, Andy and Ginny.
