Rich Lopez

Rich Lopez is a senior vice president in FTP’s government relations practice, where he provides strategic counsel to clients across a range of industries on federal policy, appropriations, congressional engagement, and executive branch advocacy. He works closely with members of Congress, congressional committees, federal agencies, and stakeholder organizations to advance client priorities and secure legislative and regulatory outcomes. Rich has played a leading role in appropriations advocacy, transportation policy initiatives, defense authorization and appropriations efforts, border-related issues, and coalition-building efforts, while also supporting congressional testimony preparation, fundraising initiatives, and high-level stakeholder engagement. He serves on the Board of the Future Forum Foundation and on the Corporate Advisory Board of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI).

Prior to joining FTP, Rich served as director of federal and administration affairs at General Motors, where he led the company’s engagement with Congress and federal agencies on connected and autonomous vehicle policy, privacy, cybersecurity, safety, and diversity initiatives. He developed and executed GM’s outreach strategy to Hispanic members of Congress and leading national Hispanic organizations, while cultivating relationships across the administration and key regulatory agencies, including the Department of Transportation, Federal Trade Commission, and Federal Communications Commission.

Before General Motors, Richard spent nearly a decade with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers as senior director of federal government affairs. There, he led industry advocacy efforts on connected and autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, intellectual property, transportation reauthorization, and vehicle safety policy. His accomplishments included helping secure passage of the “Cash for Clunkers” program, advancing the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act, reestablishing the Congressional Auto Caucuses, and coordinating broad industry coalitions that influenced major legislative and regulatory outcomes.

Earlier in his career, Rich served as executive director of legislative affairs for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), where he represented more than 400 colleges and universities and helped secure significant federal investments for Hispanic-Serving Institutions. He also held leadership positions in political advocacy and fundraising organizations and worked for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Representative Joe Baca (D-CA), Texas State Senator Mario Gallegos (D), and the Texas Hospital Association. Throughout his career, Rich has built a reputation as a trusted advocate, coalition builder, and strategic advisor with deep relationships across Congress, federal agencies, industry, and the Hispanic community.