Michael Peterson

Michael Peterson serves as a Principal at Lewis-Burke Associates, utilizing over a decade of congressional and agency experience to promote client interests, advance their long-term goals, and improve their relationships with stakeholders in both Capitol Hill and in the Executive Branch.  In particular, Michael specializes in advising organizations and achieving results in the health policy space and in congressional appropriations.

Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Michael served as a senior staffer in the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations’ (FDA) congressional appropriations office, as well as led the Agency’s policy engagements with state, local, tribal, and territorial officials, as well as related associations.  He also served as the Agency’s intergovernmental affairs liaison with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on critical topics such as foreign drug importation.  During his tenure at the FDA, Michael worked with Appropriations Committee staff in Congress to secure important new funding for the Agency, including $10 million to permanently establish the first program to enhance U.S. supply chain resilience for medical devices.  In addition to his Agency experience, Michael also served as Legislative Director for former Congressman Peter J. Visclosky (IN-01), a senior appropriations cardinal.  During his time in this role, Michael coordinated efforts to successfully secure funding from HHS to assist Indiana safety net hospitals during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Issue Expertise: Congressional appropriations, federal health policy

Additional Experience: In addition to Michael’s work on health policy, he is also experienced in both appropriations and authorizing matters regarding education, agriculture, tax, and other issues.  Further, Michael is well-versed in matters concerning transportation and environmental infrastructure funding, having previously worked with partners during the first Trump Administration to secure a $354.6 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to expand the South Shore Rail Line operating between Northwest Indiana and Chicago.  He is also proud to have worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to secure approximately $20 million in new funding increases for environmental infrastructure projects in his home district.

Vital Statistics: Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Valparaiso University.  In his free time, Michael enjoys catching up on tv and movies with his wife and taking his son to the park.