About Us
About Us
The Office of Public Liaison serves as the primary external liaison to the U.S. Department of Transportation, responsible for engaging communities on behalf of the Secretary and promoting greater visibility and access to DOT policies, programs, and resources. Our mission is to coordinate and create opportunities for direct dialogue between the Administration and members of the American public – working closely with DOT leaders, the Operating Administrations, and government agencies including the White House and other Cabinet-level Departments.
OPL is committed to ensuring everyone can participate in and inform the work of the Department and helping to translate transportation issues that impact communities across the country into action by the appropriate bodies of the federal government.
Meet our Staff
Jennifer Foley Lisaius, Director of Public Liaison and Senior Advisor
Jennifer Foley Lisaius serves as Senior Advisor and Director of Public Liaison at the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DoT), where she leads stakeholder engagement and outreach efforts connecting and communicating U.S. Secretary Sean P. Duffy’s policies and priorities to industry leaders and organizations. Her work focuses on advancing the agency's priorities through meaningful engagement and collaboration with the communities and industries that support America’s transportation modes and systems.
With more than 20 years of experience spanning government, industry associations, and the private sector, Jennifer has built a career at the intersection of communications, public affairs, public policy, and stakeholder engagement. Prior to serving at DoT, she served in the George W. Bush administration at the White House in the National Security portfolio for Presidential Personnel and in the Office of Global Communications after the terror attacks of 9/11. She later held senior roles at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) including in the Office of Public Affairs and Public Liaison. Additionally, she served at the U.S. Department of State, and as the Director of Media Affairs at the 2004 Republican National Convention in NYC. Most recently, she served as Manager of Membership and Customer Experience at WISPA - The Association for Broadband Without Boundaries. She began her career serving as a staff aide to U.S. Senator Richard B. Shelby (R-AL), and as Executive Assistant to Ed Rogers at BGR Group.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has worked with senior government officials, industry executives, associations, and diverse stakeholders to advance organizational priorities, build strategic partnerships, and communicate complex issues effectively. She brings extensive experience in strategic and executive communications, relationship management, and navigating politically sensitive environments.
A Virginia native, Jennifer is a proud graduate of the University of Alabama. She resides in Alexandria, VA with her husband, Ken, and daughters Virginia and Claire.
Grant Burdette, Deputy Director of Public Liaison
Grant Burdette is the Deputy Director of Public Liaison at the United States Department of
Transportation. The Office of Public Liaison manages Secretary Duffy’s private-sector portfolio –communicating USDOT’s priorities & initiatives to America’s leading Transportation companies and handling the Department’s external engagement in support of President Trump’s Transportation Agenda.
Before joining Secretary Duffy’s political team, Grant was a political strategist and campaign operations professional from Alabama, with experience spanning in state and local government, national campaigns, and federal outreach.
In 2024, Grant worked for full-time for President Donald J. Trump’s re-election campaign – helping build some of the President’s largest and most memorable campaign events.
Grant is a proud Alabama native, growing up in Birmingham and graduating from Vestavia Hills High School. Grant is a graduate of the University of Alabama where he earned his bachelor’s degree studying Political Science.