Lt Col (ret) Santiago "Rico" Vaca is a senior policy advisor in the Public Policy and Regulation Practice Group. He joined the firm following a distinguished 21-year military career in the Air Force, including several overseas deployments and direct work with the United States Congress. Mr. Vaca focuses his practice on appropriations, defense policy, acquisitions and regulatory issues, DOD renewable energy initiatives and client concerns related to national security. He has a deep understanding of the congressional budget, appropriations and authorization processes, as well as significant experience with Department of Defense organizational issues, policy directives, and military programs and procedures.