Daniel Lerner joined the Microsoft U.S. Government Affairs team in July 2018. As a Director of Azure Government Affairs, Daniel is responsible for broadening awareness of Microsoft Azure in Congress and the Executive Branch by developing and implementing a range of strategies that highlight Azure’s competitive advantages; ensure fair, open, and competitive markets exist; and identify and create opportunities for its adoption to address government challenges, create governmental efficiencies, and fulfill critical government missions.

Prior to joining Microsoft, Daniel served nearly 10 years on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, most recently as the staff director for the Cybersecurity Subcommittee and the full Committee lead for cybersecurity, cyber warfighting, electronic warfare, information technology, military space, the National Security Agency, United States Cyber Command, and United States Strategic Command. In this capacity, Daniel oversaw and drafted legislative authorities for the establishment of United States Cyber Command, the stand-up of the Cyber Mission Force, and Department of Defense efforts to modernize its network infrastructure. Earlier in his career on the Committee, Daniel was the staff director of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, where he led Committee oversight efforts of the Department of Defense’s strategic capabilities to include missile defense, national security space, and the nuclear weapons enterprise. Daniel was also the committee designee to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Prior to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Daniel served more than five years at the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the office of legislative affairs. While at OMB, he served as the principal liaison between the Administration and Congress on issues involving the Departments of Defense, State, and Veterans Affairs. While at OMB, Daniel also was responsible for facilitating the drafting, clearance, and White House policy process for Statements of Administration Policy on all major legislation under consideration by Congress including presidential veto threats.

Daniel received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Interdisciplinary Studies: Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG) from American University in Washington, D.C. He also participated as an Advanced Cyber Studies Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Daniel lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Michelle, and son, Benjamin.