About us

Patrick J. Cooney
Founder and President

Patrick Cooney began The Federal Group, Inc. in 1999.  His entrepreneurship and leadership on health policy, education, coalition building and business planning and development is the energy many clients rely on to fuel aggressive public policy advocacy for their organizations.  Prior to establishing the firm, Mr. Cooney represented the interests of the nation’s physical therapists as the Senior Policy Advisor within the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).   As the senior advocate for the physical therapy profession, he was responsible for the federal legislative and political strategies of the profession on Capitol Hill.  APTA remains a valued client of The Federal Group.  

Prior to working in the private sector, Mr. Cooney served as a congressional aide to Congressman Dick Swett (D-NH) who served the United States House of Representatives from 1991 – 1995.  Mr. Cooney also served as the State Field Director on the 1990 reelection campaign of the late Senator Jim Exon (D-NE) who served as Governor of Nebraska from 1971 – 1979 and United States Senator from 1979 – 1997.   

Mr. Cooney has expansive knowledge of the legislative, regulatory, and political processes in Washington.  He frequently speaks on government relations matters, particularly in the area of health care policy. As a long time advocate for sound public health policy he formerly serving as Chair of the Public Health Advisory Board for the City of Alexandria, Virginia.

Mr. Cooney is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  He is from Omaha, Nebraska, and lives in Alexandria, Virginia.  He has a passion for baseball and Cornhusker football.