Hans Riemer Joins Arnold Ventures as Vice President of Advocacy, Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 11, 2024) — Arnold Ventures continues to strengthen its commitment to building the nation’s infrastructure faster, better, and at lower cost, today naming Hans Riemer as the organization’s vice president of advocacy, infrastructure. During his professional career, Riemer has tackled the country’s infrastructure challenges through roles at a local, state, and federal level. Most recently, he was a senior consultant at the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, leading the state engagement team to create strong public-private partnerships. Previously, he served 12 years as an at-large council member in Montgomery County, Maryland. 

AV’s infrastructure work focuses on ensuring the American people have affordable homes, reliable and affordable energy, and efficient and safe transportation systems. Members of the infrastructure team at AV work to understand the root causes behind housing shortages and increasing housing costs, rapidly changing energy needs, and aging roads and transit. The team evaluates evidence regarding possible solutions and translates these solutions into meaningful public policy. 

“Addressing complex issue areas such as housing, energy, and transportation requires a comprehensive understanding of how these systems operate and how they affect individuals and families, not just nationally but at a community level,” said James Williams, executive vice president of advocacy, communications, and external affairs at Arnold Ventures. ​“Hans has witnessed that impact firsthand, from neighborhood initiatives to nationwide policies, and that experience is invaluable in our drive to implement meaningful change.” 

In his new position, Riemer will work closely with researchers, public officials, industry leaders, and local activists as Arnold Ventures seeks to advance policy changes guided by strong evidence. 

“There is growing momentum for reforms in infrastructure policy,” Riemer said. ​“If we are going to achieve the housing, transportation, and energy solutions that our communities need to thrive, we will need to make sure that the groups involved communicate effectively, from the researchers to the policymakers to industry leaders.” 

Eighteen months after its launch at AV, the infrastructure portfolio at AV is focused on addressing cross-cutting challenges, such as supply-side bottlenecks, delayed permitting for critical projects, and delays in the government’s ability to support project delivery. 

“We are excited to have someone of Hans’s caliber joining the team to level up our game in the advocacy space for our infrastructure work,” said Charlie Anderson, executive vice president of infrastructure. ​“He will hit the ground running to help get America building faster, better, and at lower cost.” 

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Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy that supports research to understand the root causes of America’s most persistent and pressing problems, as well as evidence-based solutions to address them. By focusing on systemic change, AV is working to improve the lives of American families, strengthen their communities, and promote their economic opportunity. Since Laura and John Arnold launched their foundation in 2008, the philanthropy has expanded, and Arnold Ventures’ focus areas include education, criminal justice, health, infrastructure, and public finance, advocating for bipartisan policy reforms that will lead to lasting, scalable change. As signatories of the Giving Pledge, the Arnolds have committed to giving away most of their wealth during their lives.