About

A veteran of Republican political campaigns and Capitol Hill, Rick VanMeter is a trusted voice on policy at the state, federal, and international levels. Among lawmakers, the press, and clients, he has earned a reputation for professionalism, a calm-through-the-storm demeanor, and pragmatic counsel. At Prevail, his unique insights and connections help organizations and businesses navigate today’s turbulent political and media environment.

VanMeter served as the Executive Director of the Coalition for App Fairness from 2022 through 2024. Under his leadership, the coalition nearly doubled its global membership and achieved legislative and regulatory victories in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Japan. He appeared at forums, met with regulators and lawmakers, and participated in media appearances and interviews around the world in support of the coalition’s mission. 

In a bipartisan acknowledgement of VanMeter’s expertise in tech policy, the Biden-Harris Administration invited VanMeter to the White House in December 2023 to discuss digital trade policy. He has also testified before state legislative committees in Louisiana, Arizona, and Minnesota. And he was invited to give oral evidence before the U.K. House of Commons for the Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Bill.

However, VanMeter’s experience is not limited to tech. Throughout his career, he has worked on a variety of public policy issues, building contacts on Capitol Hill and in the media. He has extensive experience managing staff and vendors, as well as working with leaders at the highest levels of government and business.

Prior to founding Prevail Communications in 2021, VanMeter worked as the top communications advisor to several members of Congress. He ended his Capitol Hill tenure as Communications Director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and for the committee’s chairman, Senator Roger F. Wicker of Mississippi. VanMeter promoted the committee’s work, which includes tech-telecom, internet, transportation, maritime, and space issues. He coordinated the committee’s communication strategy for passage of major legislation, the confirmation of presidential nominees, and high profile hearings.

VanMeter oversaw a team in preparing all communications products for the committee and Senator Wicker. He helped the Senator navigate a wide-range of challenges including the confirmation of two Supreme Court justices, the 2019-2020 presidential impeachment, and the initial federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also advised the Senator’s successful 2018 re-election campaign.

From 2015 to 2018, VanMeter served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman Andy Barr of Kentucky, a member of the Financial Services Committee. Previously, he was the Communications Director for Congressman Adrian Smith of Nebraska and Congressman Geoff Davis of Kentucky, both members of the House Ways and Means Committee.

VanMeter was the campaign manager for Kentucky State Representative Alecia Webb-Edgington’s run for Congress in 2012. And he began his career in politics as a campaign aide to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell during his 2008 re-election.

A native of Kentucky, and graduate of Vanderbilt University, VanMeter lives in Maryland with his wife and three children.