# Kai Anderson

> Kai Anderson is chief executive officer of Cassidy & Associates, a Washington government relations firm. A Stanford-trained geologist and former deputy chief of staff to Senator Harry Reid, he founded the firm’s energy and environment practice in 2005 and works on conservation, natural resources and infrastructure strategy. His hand-drawn power maps connect landscapes with the people and institutions involved in public decisions.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at Cassidy & Associates
- **Organizations:** Cassidy & Associates, Office of Senator Harry Reid (former staff), Office of Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (former science fellow), Trout Unlimited (historical trustee), Conservation Lands Foundation (board emeritus in 2024 report), Alaska Wilderness League (vice chair in 2013 report)
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science, Stanford University, PhD in Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University
- **Known for:** Established Cassidy’s energy and environment advocacy practice in 2005., Rose to deputy chief of staff during nearly six years with Harry Reid., Led Cassidy’s 2017 management buyout.

## Career timeline

- **1993** — Earned a BS from Stanford University.
- **1998** — Earned a PhD from Stanford University; subsequently served as a congressional science fellow in Senator Joseph Lieberman’s office.
- **1999–2005** — Worked for Senator Harry Reid on energy and environmental issues, rising to deputy chief of staff.
- **2005** — Joined Cassidy & Associates and established its energy and environment advocacy practice.
- **2010** — Began a two-year term on Trout Unlimited’s board of trustees in October.
- **2013** — Assumed firm leadership, according to Cassidy’s current biography; listed as Alaska Wilderness League vice chair in its 2013 annual report.
- **2014** — Became Cassidy co-chairman, according to Stanford’s profile.
- **2015** — Became Cassidy CEO, according to Stanford’s profile.
- **2017** — Led a management buyout from Interpublic Group, returning Cassidy to independent ownership.
- **2020** — Discussed his hand-drawn power map of Harry Reid’s conservation campaigns in a PBS SoCal interview.
- **2024** — Listed among Conservation Lands Foundation’s board emeritus in its 2024 impact report.

## Achievements

- Established Cassidy’s energy and environment advocacy practice in 2005.
- Rose to deputy chief of staff during nearly six years with Harry Reid.
- Led Cassidy’s 2017 management buyout.
- Developed and taught power mapping for conservation campaigns.
- Helped rethink planning and cost assumptions for the Matilija Dam removal effort with Patagonia; dam removal remains in progress.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — At the research date, Cassidy’s public biography lists Anderson as CEO and describes continuing client service and recruitment. This is a current-role verification, not an announcement of a new appointment.

## Links

- Website: https://cassidy.com/staff/kai-anderson/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kai-anderson-0260716/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/kai-anderson
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-06