January 23, 2026
Ali Ahmad, Deputy Chief of Staff for former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, joins PLUS as Senior Managing Director
RICHMOND, VA – PLUS Communications, a leading public affairs, media and digital firm, today announced the addition of Ali Ahmad as a senior managing director, public affairs, based in the firm’s Richmond office. Ahmad brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic communications, public policy and legislative affairs across federal, state and local government, further strengthening the firm’s public affairs capabilities.
Most recently, Ahmad served as deputy chief of staff for strategy to former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, where he helped oversee policy development, legislative affairs and a wide range of communications functions, including speechwriting, digital content, events and media relations. He previously ran the Governor’s Policy and Legislative Affairs team and served as a senior policy advisor to Youngkin’s successful 2021 campaign.
“Ali’s depth of experience at every level of government makes him a powerful addition to our team,” said Richard T. Cullen, head of PLUS Communications’ Richmond office. “He brings a rare combination of policy expertise and strategic communications leadership that will be invaluable to our clients.”
“I’m thrilled to join PLUS Communications because of their reputation for delivering results for businesses and brands that build communities, drive technological innovation, and improve people’s quality of life,” said Ahmad.
Ahmad previously served as associate director for communications at the U.S. Census Bureau, where he oversaw the national communications campaign for the 2020 Census, including paid media, national partnerships, earned media, digital and crisis communications. He also managed the Bureau’s legislative and intergovernmental affairs functions and served as a strategic advisor to senior leadership at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Ahmad has also held senior communications and policy roles on Capitol Hill, working for former House Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis and former House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa. As a senior professional staff member, he helped lead the passage of the bipartisan DATA Act, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at increasing federal spending transparency.
A lifelong Virginian, Ahmad is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he earned degrees in economics and history.
About PLUS Communications
PLUS Communications is a Beltway-based consulting firm specializing in campaign management, media relations, coalition building, advertising, digital engagement, crisis communications, litigation support and message development. Distinguished by its campaign-style approach, the firm employs more than 200 professionals, including more than one dozen partners with unrivaled experience advising Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and non-profit organizations across a host of industries.
PLUS was acquired in September 2023 by Omnicom PR Group (OPRG), the world’s largest global network of communications and consulting agencies. In addition to its Arlington, Virginia headquarters, PLUS maintains regional offices in Richmond, Virginia; Austin, Texas; and Helena, Montana.
To learn more, visit PlusPR.com.
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