Mines names Andrew Lattanner as Director of Federal Relations

Colorado School of Mines is pleased to announce that Andrew Lattanner will join the university as Director of Federal Relations.

Lattanner has more than a decade of experience working in the U.S. Congress and previously served as director of the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) Training Center, an innovative, industry-driven workforce training initiative.

In this new role, Lattanner will lead efforts to advance awareness of Mines’ world-leading research and support productive relationships with the U.S. government and federal agencies. He officially joins Mines on Jan. 9.

“Colorado School of Mines is delighted to welcome Andrew Lattanner to join us in this key role for government relations,” said Walter Copan, Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer. “His experience in Washington and strong background on issues important to research and higher education, workforce development and advanced manufacturing, prepares him well to advance the University’s strategic goals as we approach our 150^th year.”

At the OMIC Training Center, Lattanner directed the planning, development and successful launch of the public-private advanced manufacturing training initiative designed to align post-secondary education, workforce systems, and industry partnerships to deliver quality industry-aligned manufacturing training. Serving as director from 2019 to 2022, he worked with federal, state, and local policymakers and partners to inform education and training investments, and to successfully secure funding and programmatic support from public and private sector sources. 

Lattanner also brings to Mines more than a decade of experience working in Congress, including six years as Legislative Director and Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly of Indiana. In the role from 2013 to 2019, Lattanner served as Donnelly’s chief policy advisor, responsible for developing and executing bipartisan legislative agendas. He also regularly collaborated with universities, serving as a bridge between subject matter experts and policymakers, translating the complexities of the real world into policy solutions that earn legislative support and meet the needs of constituents.

Prior to his service with Sen. Donnelly, Lattanner served as Chief of Staff to then-Congresswoman Kathy Hochul of New York from 2011 to 2013. He also served as legislative director with U.S. Rep. Scott Murphy of New York (2009-2011) and started his career in Washington, D.C. as legislative assistant for then-U.S. Rep. Donnelly (2007-2009). 

Lattanner is a graduate of Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, where he earned a Master of Public Administration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Mount Union. 

"Mines’ leadership in science and engineering is strengthened by its partnerships with industry, academia, and government,” Lattanner said. “I’m excited to join Mines to advance the university’s position as a first-choice partner with the government and federal labs, while supporting the students and faculty whose education, research, and impact make Mines a world-leading institution."