Modern Fortis Appoints Phoebe Johnston as Vice President

Former House legislative assistant brings a broad federal policy portfolio and legislative strategy experience to the firm’s growing advocacy practice

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, September 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Modern Fortis, a political and strategic advocacy firm, today announced the appointment of Phoebe Johnston as vice president. Johnston joins the firm after serving as a legislative assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she advised a member of Congress on a wide-ranging portfolio of federal policy issues and supported legislative strategy across committees, agencies and stakeholder coalitions.

At Modern Fortis, Johnston will help advance the firm’s federal and state advocacy work, providing clients with policy analysis, legislative intelligence and strategic counsel at a time when technology, commerce, supply chain resilience and public safety increasingly intersect with government action.
“Phoebe has the policy depth, disciplined judgment and practical understanding of how Congress works that clients need to navigate today’s legislative environment,” said Frank Russo, partner and principal at Modern Fortis. “Her experience across technology, commerce, national security and other key policy areas will strengthen our ability to build effective strategies and deliver results for clients.”

Most recently, Johnston managed legislative portfolios covering the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology and Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade. In that capacity, she advised on commercial and entertainment issues, telecommunications, spectrum policy, data privacy, artificial intelligence, supply chains and domestic manufacturing competitiveness.

Johnston also managed a cross-committee portfolio encompassing agriculture, natural resources, judiciary and oversight, financial services, armed services, veterans affairs and foreign affairs. Her congressional work included preparing briefing memoranda, vote recommendations, hearing questions and floor statements; representing her office in meetings with committee staff, federal agencies, stakeholders and coalition partners; and leading Community Project Funding efforts with local governments and community leaders.

Earlier in her House service, Johnston oversaw policy work involving agriculture, education, workforce and labor, financial services and banking, Social Security, election security, small business, and science, space and technology. She also monitored regulatory and legislative developments affecting agriculture, forestry, wildlife, land use and rural development, translating complex policy questions into clear communications for constituents and decision-makers.

“I am excited to join Modern Fortis and contribute to a team that pairs sharp policy expertise with an action-oriented approach to advocacy,” Johnston said. “The issues shaping the next decade, from artificial intelligence and communications policy to resilient supply chains, domestic competitiveness and public safety, demand thoughtful engagement and strong partnerships. I look forward to helping clients develop credible, durable solutions and succeed at every level of government.”
Johnston graduated summa cum laude from Hillsdale College with a Bachelor of Science in economics, departmental honors and a minor in biology. Her academic and policy experience includes fellowships and programs with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the Property and Environment Research Center, the Charles Koch Foundation and Hillsdale College’s conservation program. She is pursuing a law degree part time at The George Washington University Law School, with particular interest in international, trade and national security law.

About Modern Fortis
Modern Fortis designs and executes targeted political and strategic advocacy campaigns to shape policy and drive legislative change. The firm combines data, analytics and tailored digital tools with experienced government relations strategy to help clients pursue public affairs objectives at the federal, state and local levels.

Braden Frame
Modern Fortis
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Written By: EIN Presswire