VP of Public Policy · Cologix

Preston
Grisham

Two decades at the intersection of technology, government, and business — shaping policy, building coalitions, and writing Swift code between policy fights and pull requests.

Preston Grisham
West Columbia, SC

Policy. Communications. Code.

I'm a public policy and public affairs executive with more than two decades of experience shaping technology, infrastructure, and innovation policy at the federal, state, and local levels. I currently serve as Vice President of Public Policy at Cologix, one of North America's leading data center and interconnection operators, where I lead government relations and public affairs strategy across its portfolio of facilities and markets.

Before Cologix, I served as Lead for US Policy Communications at Amazon, building and executing communications strategies on data center infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, energy policy, and regulated industries. Earlier, I founded Stonewall Strategies, led TechSC — South Carolina's first statewide technology industry association — and served on Capitol Hill as Communications Director for Congressman Mike Turner and senior advisor to Congressman Joe Wilson.

Beyond policy, I'm an avid iOS developer with a genuine interest in software engineering and cybersecurity. I've successfully published the DC Metro App and College Football App to the Apple App Store and am actively building PLNS, a social planning platform developed in Swift.

I began my career managing congressional and statewide political campaigns in South Carolina before moving to Capitol Hill, where I served in senior roles for two Members of Congress. I later returned to South Carolina to found Stonewall Strategies, a boutique lobbying and public affairs firm, before taking my expertise into the technology industry and national policy arena.

20+
Years in Public Policy
2
Apps on the App Store
SC
West Columbia, SC
B.A.
Communications, Univ. of South Carolina
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Full-Spectrum Policy Experience

From Capitol Hill staffer to multistate lobbyist to federal technology policy lead — I've spent two decades working every level of the policy process, with deep expertise in technology, telecom, energy, and AI.

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Big Tech Policy Leadership

I led US policy communications at Amazon Web Services across AI, data centers, cybersecurity, energy, and infrastructure — at federal, state, and local levels.

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Technologist at the Core

Technology has always been home base for me — I started writing programs in the third grade. I'm CompTIA A+ and Network+ certified and now pursuing a Master's in Computer Science. The policy work is an extension of a lifelong obsession with how technology works.

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iOS Developer

I've published multiple apps on the Apple App Store and am actively building PLNS in Swift — policy chops and pull requests coexist just fine.

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Founder & Builder

I founded TechSC, South Carolina's first statewide tech industry association, and Stonewall Strategies, a South Carolina government affairs firm — built from scratch, both of them.

Two Decades of Impact

From Capitol Hill to Big Tech to the data center industry — a career built at the intersection of policy, strategy, and innovation.

2024 – Present
Vice President, Public Policy
Cologix
Leads government relations and public affairs strategy for one of North America's leading data center and interconnection operators across its portfolio of facilities and markets.
2022 – 2024
Lead, US Public Affairs / Policy Communications
Amazon | Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Drove strategic public policy communications for AWS at federal, state, and local levels — covering AI/ML, cybersecurity, energy policy, data center infrastructure, and data privacy. Cultivated relationships with policymakers, media, and industry coalitions to advance Amazon's policy objectives.
2020 – 2022
Vice President, Technology Policy
APCO Worldwide
Directed advocacy strategies for a portfolio of tech, healthcare, transportation, and telecom clients. Launched multi-channel advocacy campaigns, advised executives on public affairs strategy, and orchestrated large-scale stakeholder coalitions.
2017 – 2020
Executive Director
TechSC — The Technology Association of South Carolina
Founded and led South Carolina's first statewide technology industry association, championing pro-innovation policy and uniting industry leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. Successfully merged TechSC with the SC Council on Competitiveness.
2018 – 2019
Vice President, Government Affairs
Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS
Oversaw public policy and political advocacy for one of South Carolina's largest professional associations, aligning legislative priorities with member interests and engaging state, local, and federal policymakers.
2014 – 2018
Senior Manager, Public Policy Communications
CompTIA — The Computing Technology Industry Association
Led public policy communications for a national IT trade association, developing grassroots advocacy strategies and positioning CompTIA as a trusted voice in technology policy at state and federal levels.
2013 – 2014
Communications Director
U.S. House of Representatives — Rep. Mike Turner (OH-10)
Directed communications strategy for the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, managing media, floor speeches, and messaging for high-profile legislative initiatives.
2010 – 2014
Principal & Owner
Stonewall Strategies
Founded and led a South Carolina contract lobbying and public affairs firm representing technology companies, nonprofits, and trade associations before the legislature, executive branch, and regulatory bodies.
2002 – 2010
Policy Advisor & Communications Director
U.S. House of Representatives — Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02)
Advised on telecommunications, technology, and energy policy while managing comprehensive communications strategy. Took on campaign manager responsibilities during election cycles, delivering successful outcomes across multiple races.

Built for the App Store

iOS development as a serious hobby — shipping apps that solve real problems, one Swift commit at a time.

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In Development

PLNS

A social planning platform built in Swift that makes coordinating plans with friends and family intuitive and fast. Focuses on the gap between group chats and calendars.

Swift SwiftUI CloudKit iOS
Visit plns.app →
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Published

College Football Tracker

A real-time college football companion app for fans who need scores, schedules, and standings without the noise. Built by a fan, for fans.

Swift UIKit REST API iOS
Learn more →
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Published

DC Metro App

A clean, real-time DC Metro transit app surfacing live train arrivals, line status, and station information — built for commuters who need reliability over flair.

Swift WMATA API CoreLocation iOS
Download on the App Store →

What Drives Me

The policy work is serious. The rest of it keeps things interesting.

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College Football

I bleed garnet and black. If it's a Saturday in the fall, you know where to find me.

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Kayaking

My preferred way to clear my head between policy fights and pull requests. I'm happiest on the water.

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Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity sits at the intersection of my policy work and my technical side — understanding the threat landscape is just as important to me as shaping the policy response to it.

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iOS Development

I write Swift code as a genuine craft — shipping real apps, learning the full stack, and finding technical solutions to everyday problems.

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Travel Gear

I have a genuine interest in thoughtfully designed travel gear — the kind of kit that works as hard as you do and disappears when you need it to.

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The Outdoors

I'm an avid outdoorsman based in the West Columbia area — the Midlands offers plenty of river access and room to breathe.

Get In Touch

Let's Connect

Whether it's technology policy, public affairs strategy, iOS development, or just good conversation — reach out.

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