Rick A. Dearborn

As a team, we're dedicated to understanding our clients' priorities, crafting solutions that reflect their viewpoints, and working our tails off to advance their goals.

Rick is a senior policy professional with three decades of experience ranging from service under two US Presidents and six US senators to postings at a premier think tank and a major DC trade association. Rick has special expertise in the trade, agriculture, defense, energy, healthcare, and telecom sectors.

A former longtime chief of staff in the Senate, Rick is beloved by senators and senior staff on both sides of the aisle. Rick’s carefully honed ability to bring people together from any political stripe and his unmatched knowledge of the Senate and inner workings of the executive branch are critical to delivering wins for Mindset clients.

Prior to joining Mindset, Rick served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the President of the United States. In that role, he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of approximately 100 staff in five separate Executive Offices of the President (EOP) departments. Rick also served as the Executive Director of the 2016 Presidential Transition Team and was responsible for the direction and management of the Transition Team’s 600-plus members.

Prior to leading the President’s Transition Team, Rick served as Chief of Staff to then-US Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) for over a decade, and over the course of his career, served Sen. Sessions for nearly two decades, including a prior stint as his Legislative Director.  Between his two tours in Sen. Sessions’ office, Rick was appointed by President George W. Bush as the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Congressional Affairs, where he worked with the Senate, House, and Tribal Governments on the president’s energy agenda.  Earlier in his career, Rick also served on the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Senate Republican Conference, and the Senate Steering Committee.

Rick graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Public Administration with a minor in Economics.

Rick’s hidden talent: He is a model train collector and operator with over 100 engines and 300 rolling stock.