General Counsel for Contracting | Managing Principal
Lincoln
dvaughan@hbstrategies.us

A trusted advisor and steady hand, Dusty Vaughan has a proven track-record of success in the political arena at both the state and federal levels and brought nearly fifteen years of government service experience to Husch Blackwell Strategies as Managing Principal. His ability to keep a calm approach with policymakers in the face of difficult situations and maintain connections regardless of which side of the issue he is on makes him one of the most effective lobbyists in the Capitol. As a lifelong Nebraskan, his focus has been on the state since the beginning of his career which has allowed Dusty to build a network of key relationships throughout state government.

Previously serving as State Director for U.S. Senator Deb Fischer from 2013-2018, Dusty led Senator Fischer’s state operations which included five offices across the state. Dusty was heavily involved in formulating Senator Fischer’s legislative policies with her executive leadership team and acted as the conduit between Washington, D.C. and Nebraskans.

Prior to the U.S. Senate, Dusty was a staffer in the Nebraska Legislature for eight years. As Legal Counsel of the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, Dusty drafted and played an integral part in helping pass the Build Nebraska Act, which is known as landmark legislation that changed how Nebraska funded its highways and infrastructure. Dusty also had extensive involvement in crafting Nebraska telecommunications policy, including the Universal Service Fund and E911.

A Nebraska native, Dusty received both his bachelor’s degree and juris doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.