Federal experience, translated into practical strategy.
Cairn Strategic Consulting is a principal-led advisory firm based in Washington, DC. John Rapp founded Cairn after more than 20 years of federal service, including senior leadership roles spanning budgets, policy, performance, risk, agency operations, and environmental programs.
John Rapp · Founder and Principal
A career focused on how government turns policy into results.
Before founding Cairn, John served in senior roles at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including as Departmental Budget Director and Chief Risk and Performance Officer. He previously served as Budget Director for the U.S. Forest Service and held earlier leadership roles in budget and performance management.
Earlier in his career, John worked on coastal and habitat restoration at NOAA and in Louisiana, including work related to Deepwater Horizon restoration. Across these roles, he learned how budgets, authorities, institutions, and people interact—and where strong ideas often stall between policy and execution.
Cairn brings that experience directly to clients that need clear analysis, candid advice, and a realistic strategy for navigating the federal system.
Experience across federal policy, budgets, and implementation
-
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Departmental Budget Director and Chief Risk & Performance Officer
Led and advised on department-wide budget, performance, risk, and management issues involving large, complex federal programs.
-
U.S. Forest Service
Budget Director and prior budget/performance leadership roles
Worked at the intersection of appropriations, wildfire funding, natural-resource programs, agency operations, and congressional oversight.
-
NOAA and Louisiana
Coastal and habitat restoration
Supported restoration programs, partnerships, and major environmental-response efforts before moving into department-wide federal leadership.
Clear analysis. Candid advice. Practical next steps.
Evidence first
Recommendations are grounded in documents, data, and a practical understanding of how government operates.
Plain language
Complex budgets and policies are translated into clear choices for leaders, partners, and decision-makers.
Usable advice
Every engagement stays focused on the decision at hand, the timing, and the next action that will move the work forward.
Work directly with the person leading the engagement.
Cairn is deliberately principal-led. Clients receive senior attention from scoping through delivery.