Van HippFounder

United States - Washington, District of Columbia

Van Hipp, a businessman and a veteran of the United States Army, currently assists a broad range of organizations with programs related to public relations, business development, and government affairs as the Chairman of the Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm American Defense International, Inc. Originally from South Carolina, Van Hipp began his career as the Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party. As one of the state’s leading political figures, he acted as a member of the Presidential Electoral College and introduced Newt Gingrich at the Republican National Convention in 1988. Following his service in South Carolina, Van Hipp was sworn in as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, and in this position, he helped organize the reserve forces during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the first Gulf War. Following the Tailhook Scandal in 1991, Van D. Hipp Jr. earned the post of Principal Deputy General Counsel to the Navy, where he oversaw a variety of the division’s legal matters.

Van Hipp contributes to the President’s Council within the National Safe Skies Alliance and frequently appears on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and other prominent news networks. In addition, he has written numerous articles on issues pertaining to foreign relations and the country’s war on terror. His articles include “Increased Cyber Security Threat Represents Opportunity for International Defense Cooperation,” “Rep. Peter King Is Doing His Job By Holding Congressional Hearings on Muslim Radicalization,” and “The China Threat.” Van D. Hipp Jr. maintains close involvement with The Salvation Army, serving on the advisory boards of two of the organization’s groups and recently receiving the Reflecting God Award.

Van Hipp holds a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law and a Bachelor’s in Economics from Wofford College.