Jonas E. Neihardt is a senior adviser at DGA Group, based in Washington, D.C. He co-leads the firm’s Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Sector Team, drawing on extensive international experience to help clients expand their businesses while protecting investments and operations worldwide. As a senior vice president at Hilton, Mr. Neihardt worked directly with the company’s CEO during its expansion to more than 5,000 hotels across more than 100 countries.

At Hilton, Mr. Neihardt organized a coalition of leading travel companies that opposed proposed changes to the taxation of travel loyalty programs. The coalition successfully blocked a multibillion-dollar proposal that would have significantly increased taxes on points-based loyalty programs. He also led a successful campaign supporting the restructuring of a $13 billion hotel real estate portfolio. Mr. Neihardt served at Hilton during Blackstone’s ownership of the company, culminating in what was then the most profitable private equity exit on record.

Before joining the private sector, Mr. Neihardt served in the White House Office of Management and Budget under two U.S. presidential administrations. He also led Qualcomm’s Washington government relations team, helping secure approval of the company’s technology as a leading wireless standard in the United States and internationally.

Mr. Neihardt earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan.