Kristin Bodenstedt

VP, Government Relations, Bacardi North America

Kristin Bodenstedt brings over twenty-five years of government-related experience in diverse legislative and private sector roles to her position directing government relations for Bacardi North America.  She oversees the Washington office for the largest privately-owned spirits company handling issues before international, federal and state governments.  She joined Bacardi in December 2002.

Prior to Bacardi, Ms. Bodenstedt represented corporate, trade association and non-profit clients in positions at the MWW Group, Burson-Marsteller, Arent Fox, the National Association of Manufacturers and the Cato Institute. She employed her federal and state legislative and regulatory experience to craft creative solutions to clients’ issues.

Prior to lobbying, Ms. Bodenstedt served in several legislative governmental positions including as legislative counsel to Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA). She advised the Senator on a broad range of business issues including tax, trade, banking, commerce and judiciary issues. Beginning her career in Austin, Texas, Ms. Bodenstedt served as legislative assistant to Texas State Representative David Counts and later to Texas State Representative Keith Oakley. Ms. Bodenstedt also served as the national political budget director for the 1996 Dole/Kemp presidential campaign where she coordinated campaign spending and served as a policy analyst for the campaign.

Ms. Bodenstedt holds a law degree from the University of Texas Law School and a B.A. in government with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a member of the Texas and DC Bar.

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