Benjamin J. Cassidy is an experienced professional in government affairs and public affairs with a strong background in advocacy, marketing, and communications. He currently works at Safari Club International (SCI) as the Executive Vice President for International Government & Public Affairs, he oversees the company’s government affairs, international development, marketing, and communications efforts. During his time at SCI, he has overseen the growth of membership, increased convention attendance and fundraising year-over-year, and created an advocacy operation in Europe. He represents SCI before elected officials, Fortune 500 businesses, community partners, membership, and the general public, delivering speeches and acting as a national media spokesman for the organization. He also oversees marketing and communications for the SCI convention and manages an international advocacy, communications, and marketing team. In addition, he is the host of the First for Hunters podcast.

Before joining SCI, Cassidy worked at the U.S. Department of the Interior as the Senior Deputy Director for External & Intergovernmental Affairs, where he led the OIEA team in the rollout of major regulation reforms, managed all conservation and recreation outreach to intergovernmental and external partners, and facilitated stakeholder engagement. During his tenure, he assembled senior officials across government to form the Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force, launched the Conservation Roundtable, increased access to public lands by helping establish an annual Urban National Wildlife Refuge Day through Secretarial Order and addressed healthy landscapes and wildlife through prioritization of big game migration corridors.

Cassidy also worked at the National Rifle Association – Institute for Legislative Action as a Federal Liaison, where he advanced, promoted, and represented the mission of the NRA before the House of Representatives, Senate, and the Administration. He managed relationships with thirteen U.S. Senate and House Congressional State Delegations and engaged with a large diverse network of Republican political operatives, Congressional staffers, and government affairs colleagues.

Earlier in his career, Cassidy served as the Young Guns Liaison at the National Republican Congressional Committee, where under Speaker Kevin McCarthy, former Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Former Speaker Paul Ryan he created, implemented, and managed the operations of the Young Guns Candidate Recruitment program and developed and strengthened relationships with candidates. These efforts culminated in the historic 2010 midterm election when Republicans retook the U.S. House by taking control of 63 House seats previously held by Democrats.

Cassidy holds a B.S. in Philosophy from Rollins College, a certificate in Management Essentials from Harvard Business School Online and is a certified barbeque judge. He lives in Maryland with his wonderful wife Clare and daughters Jane & Winifred.