Meet the Team
Loren A. Smith, Jr.
President
As the leader of Skyline Policy Risk Group, Loren works closely with clients to provide guidance on policy risk, political strategy, and business development. He is a longtime writer and speaker on a wide range of topics, including the supply chain, technology, and society.
From 2017-2021, Loren worked at the U.S. Department of Transportation, rising to be Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy. There, his work included serving as DOT's Chief Environmental Review Permitting Officer; chair of the management team for the ROUTES Initiative on rural transportation; policy lead on accessibility for persons with disabilities; and member of the task force on regulatory reform, including leading efforts on supersonic aviation. During the 2016-2017 presidential transition, he was the landing team leader for the U.S. Department of Labor.
From 2009-2016, Loren was an analyst for Capital Alpha Partners, a DC-based research firm that studies public policy for investors. He specialized in transportation policy, particularly relating to autos and infrastructure, and published more than 500 research notes.
Loren previously served at the U.S. Department of Labor and as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill. Before that, he worked for several public-policy-focused non-profit organizations. He is a graduate of Boston College, and lives in Virginia with his wife and their nine fantastic children.
Chris Yablonski
Vice President, Research and Strategic Information
As Vice President, Chris focuses research and strategic information. He is master of data wrangling and deep-dive research.
Prior to co-founding Skyline, Chris worked in policy in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Community Planning and Development 2019-2021. In that role, Chris helped oversee proposed regulatory reforms for the Community Development Block Grants program and relating to HUD’s compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Chris also helped coordinate HUD’s response to COVID-19 and the implementation of the CARES Act for the $9 billion in housing grant programs under his office’s purview.
From 2012 to 2019, Chris worked as a general researcher for Fox News and associated platforms. Over that time, Chris authored 5,600 research items for dozens of Fox shows and online outlets. He also provided dedicated research support to anchors and producers for the No.1-rated America's Newsroom. Chris has also worked as an editor, researcher, fundraiser, and consultant for public policy-oriented nonprofits and philanthropies.
Chris is a graduate of the College of William & Mary.
Karen Perry
Director of Operations
As Director of Operations, Karen handles internal operations, web consulting and development, contracted client services, and all things procedural. With a passion for details and analysis, Karen seeks to serve clients and colleagues in finding detailed, complete, and efficient solutions.
Prior to joining the Skyline team, Karen honed her skills in operations management, team leadership, and web development at firms including MicroNeil Research Corporation, Computer Science Corporation, and Acuent, Inc. She has also lent her web consulting experience to several non-profit organizations.
Karen is a graduate of James Madison University, and an MBA candidate at Boston University.