David J. Urban is a Managing Director at BGR Group. He has more than three decades of experience in the military, law, business, politics and public service sectors. David provides strategic advice and counsel to BGR clients throughout the firm.
Prior to joining BGR, David served as Executive Vice President of North American Corporate Affairs for ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. In this senior role, he worked alongside the company’s top leadership, helping them navigate public policy and communications challenges, as well as advising on Environmental, Social, and Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility issues.
As President of the American Continental Group (ACG) he provided high stakes counsel to key clients including the CEO of Zoom during the early tumultuous days of the COVID-19 pandemic and the CEO of 7-Eleven to help the company adapt to a rapidly changing regulatory environment.
Before joining ACG, David served as Chief of Staff to the former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania for five years. In this role, David was the Senator’s senior advisor on all legislative, political, media and administrative matters in Pennsylvania and Washington.
David was appointed by former President Donald Trump to serve as the 11th Chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission. He was also appointed by the President to the Board of Visitors (Trustees) for the United States Military Academy at West Point.
A graduate of West Point, David served as an artillery officer in the 101st Airborne Division where he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service during Operation Desert Storm. He earned a law degree from Temple University and a Master’s in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed an ESG certification program through the Said School of Business at Oxford University and the Stratfor certification program in geopolitical analysis at the Florida Atlantic University. He served as an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz School of Government. An active member of the Pennsylvania Bar, David is admitted to practice before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Areas of Focus
- Defense
- Technology
- International
- Communications
- Commerce
- Litigation Support
- Advisory Services
Education
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Temple University Law School
J.D. -
University of Pennsylvania
M.A., Government Administration -
Affiliations
Pennsylvania Bar