Alexander Cochran
Chief Advocacy Officer
American Institute of Architects

Alexander Cochran, ESQ., is the CAO/Chief Advocacy Officer of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), a dynamic network of more than 98,000 architects and design professionals throughout 200 chapters committed to enhancing the built environment.

Alexander comes to AIA after spending the past 10 years as Special Counsel to the Governor of New York State, where he oversaw a team of federal and state government affairs policy experts. He advocated for federal policy solutions and devised strategies that solved state budget and policy needs while navigating a myriad of complex challenges. He worked closely with governors' offices across the country to advocate for governors’ federal legislative priorities. Alexander co-conceived and launched the governor led US Climate Alliance. During the NY Governor's chairmanship of the National Governors Association (NGA), Alexander set the NGA federal agenda and bi-partisan strategy.

Combining 25 years of impactful federal, state, and local government relations representing Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and city / state governments, he has a record of success in corporate and government reputation management, strategic/crisis communications, political strategy, and policy advocacy.

Alexander began his career as an advisor to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton Administration. There he advised the Secretary on intergovernmental relations working closely with the Nation's mayor, county officials, and governors. He lives in Oakton, VA with his wife and has two sons, one who is studying at University of Virginia and the other at the University of Georgia. Alexander is a very proud Georgia Bulldog.