David Turkovic

David “Turk” Turkovic is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive national security advocacy strategies that advance client priorities and resonate with the Department of Defense (DOD) and Capitol Hill.  As a national security expert, he leverages his experience working in the Pentagon and maintains strong bipartisan relationships on Capitol Hill with congressional committees and personal offices. 

Turk comes to Lewis-Burke having served the Secretary of Defense as special assistant for legislative affairs, where he was the legislative liaison to Capitol Hill for both the Undersecretary for Acquisition & Sustainment (USD/A&S) and Undersecretary for Research & Engineering (USD/R&E).  In that role, he spearheaded the Department of Defense’s legislative efforts on critical supply chain issues, including microelectronics, critical minerals, manufacturing, hypersonic weapons, and other advanced capabilities; he also advocated for a range of priorities on behalf of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the Defense Innovation Board (DIB), and the Defense Science Board (DSB). 

Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Turk was director for industrial base policy at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) where he was responsible for developing AIA’s national security agenda, and for planning and executing advocacy efforts to support supply chain issues for the defense industrial base. 

At Lewis-Burke, he provides clients with informed strategies and effective legislative approaches to supporting the missions of the Department of Defense and the Intelligence community. 

Issue Expertise: Defense, national security R&D, defense supply chains, and authorizations & appropriations. 

Additional Experience: Previously, he was special assistant for legislative affairs to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy & Environment (ASA IE&E), where he encouraged Army priorities in energy & environment, and managed relationships on Capitol Hill. 

Vital Statistics: A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Turk holds a bachelor’s degree in both political science and history from Cleveland State University.  He is a recipient of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service and the Secretary of the Army Meritorious Public Service Medal.  Turk is an active member in the Croatian community, enjoys cheering on the Cleveland Browns and plays volleyball around DC.