As senior advisor for strategic outreach, Robert Gordon establishes and builds working relationships with new audiences and potential allies in championing ideas and policy solutions from The Heritage Foundation that are rooted in individual freedom, limited government, free markets, a strong national defense and traditional values.

Before joining Heritage in 2008, Gordon directed several conservation organizations and, from 2003 to 2006, served on committee staff in the House of Representatives. Working for the House Committee on Resources, he helped craft the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act (HR 3824), which passed the House with substantial bipartisan support. He also assisted in the committee’s oversight and investigative duties, including international environmental programs and funds derived from excise taxes on hunting and fishing.

In 1989, Gordon founded the National Wilderness Institute, a nonprofit conservation organization whose mission was to promote conservative environmental vision and policies. He managed research and litigation, worked with federal whistleblowers and made numerous requests under the Freedom of Information Act. He testified regularly before the House and Senate on wetlands, property rights, international environmental designations and endangered species, among other issues.

Also while at NWI, Gordon guided programs that led to congressional hearings, government audits and legislation. Among the bills was the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Improvement Act of 2000, which became law, as well as the Potomac River Protection Act and the Endangered Species Recovery Act.

Gordon’s work and writings drew coverage from national networks from Fox to PBS and from major newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, Cleveland Plain Dealer and Las Vegas Review-Journal. His work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals such as Technology: Journal of The Franklin Institute and Environment International.

From 1997 to 2002, Gordon served two terms as a member of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Board of Conservation and Recreation. He also has played instrumental roles in the Grassroots Endangered Species Coalition and the Environmental Issues Council.

Gordon graduated from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor of arts degree in Russian and Soviet studies. He and his wife, Susanne, currently reside in Alexandria, Va., with their three daughters.v