Brian McLaughlin
Brian McLaughlin is a Founding Partner at Imperium Global Advisors. In his capacity he works with all lobbying, go to market and policy development efforts. Brian brings over 2 decades of experience as a business leader and advocate.
Brian’s expertise is at the intersection of quantum computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and defense technology—helping clients shape legislation, secure federal funding, and navigate the complex regulatory landscape governing critical and emerging technologies.
Brian’s practice focuses on advancing client interests before Congress, the Executive Branch, and key federal agencies on issues ranging from quantum information science and AI governance to cyber defense policy and technology export controls. He has deep expertise in appropriations, procurement, workforce, and the national security implications of emerging technologies. Brian regularly advises clients on legislative strategy, policy positioning, and regulatory positioning in high-stakes technology policy debates that shape U.S. competitiveness and national security.
Before founding Imperium, Brian served as a director at APCO Worldwide, a global strategic communications and public affairs consultancy, where he led technology policy practices focused on quantum computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and U.S.-China technology competition. He advised Fortune 500 technology companies, defense contractors, governments, and major trade associations on federal lobbying strategy, policy development, and government relations—supporting clients through landmark legislative battles, major technology policy reforms, and geopolitical challenges involving critical technology supply chains and national security reviews.
Brian began his career in the U.S. Senate, where he worked for Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and served on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. In these roles, he contributed to major legislative efforts establishing the Department of Homeland Security, the Directorate of National Intelligence, and the Transportation Security Administration. He also drafted portions of the Federal Information Security Management Act and the Service Acquisition Reform Act of 2003, giving him foundational experience in cybersecurity policy and technology procurement reform that continues to inform his work today.
Education:
University of Maryland, B.A. in Political Science
