In October, Maynard Cooper & Gale welcomed Wade Heck to the Firm’s Government Relations Practice Group in Washington D.C. Wade is a Government Relations professional with over three decades of experience shaping and executing federal lobbying strategies and guiding policy through the legislative process. His practice focuses primarily on defense, space, and energy programs, with a specialty in advanced nuclear technologies.

“Wade is a tremendous asset to our Government Relations Team. He is well known and well respected on the Hill, and will add depth to our defense and space team, while expanding our capabilities in the energy sector,” said Daniel Wilson, Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Shareholder of the Washington D.C. and Huntsville offices. “His sophisticated knowledge of government processes and close ties to the Hill are invaluable, especially in these rapidly changing and turbulent times.”

Most recently, Wade served as the Director of Government Relations for BWXT, a multi-billion dollar corporation that manufactures nuclear components to support the Navy’s submarine and aircraft carrier programs. He also supported the Department of Energy’s national security programs, advanced nuclear technologies, and NASA’s Nuclear Thermal Propulsion program for the deep space mission.

Before that, Wade served as Chief of Staff to Representative Terry Everett (AL-02) pursing policy and legislative initiatives through the House Armed Services, Intelligence, and Agriculture committees. Wade began his career on the Hill as a member of the legislative staff for Representative Bill Dickinson (AL-02) who was the Ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee. Wade later served as a professional staff member on the House Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, focusing on Navy shipbuilding and weapons programs.

Wade received his B.A. in Political Science from McDaniel College and completed the Washington Representative Program at George Washington University.