Apple has hired Nate Gatten as its new vice president of government affairs, bringing in a veteran Washington executive from American Airlines as the company reshapes its policy leadership following Lisa Jackson’s retirement.
Gatten will officially take over the role on August 31 and report to Jennifer Newstead, Apple’s senior vice president and general counsel. He has led government affairs at American Airlines since 2017 and previously held positions at JPMorgan Chase and Fannie Mae, giving him years of experience working with policymakers and major corporations.
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Bloomberg reports that Apple specifically wanted an executive who could “align with the Trump administration,” while also maintaining productive relationships with policymakers across party lines. Gatten is a Republican and is expected to work closely with Tim Cook as Apple deals with regulatory, trade, tax, and policy issues in Washington.
Apple reshapes its government affairs leadership
Lisa Jackson previously led Apple’s government affairs organization after joining the company in 2013 following her tenure as head of the Environmental Protection Agency during the Obama administration. Jackson also oversaw Apple’s environmental and social initiatives before announcing her retirement late last year.
As part of that transition, Apple said legal chief Katherine Adams would temporarily serve as senior vice president of government affairs until her planned retirement in late 2026. Gatten’s appointment now gives Apple a dedicated executive to oversee the company’s political and government relationships.
Bloomberg also reports that Apple values Gatten’s ability to work “constructively with policymakers on both sides of the aisle,” particularly as control of Congress remains politically competitive ahead of the November midterm elections.
Gatten also serves on the board of the Faith and Politics Institute, a Washington organization focused on civil political dialogue, while his previous real estate experience could support Apple as the company continues expanding its retail stores and other physical operations.
Tim Cook is set to step down as Apple CEO on September 1, one day after Gatten starts his new role, although Cook will continue engaging with policymakers worldwide as Apple’s executive chairman.
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