Robert Hood
Robert Hood

Robert Hood, assistant secretary for legislative affairs at the Dept. of Defense, has moved to Hyundai Motor Co. to lead its federal and state government affairs efforts.

He joined Team Trump after serving as a member of the presidential transition team.

Earlier, Hood did an eight-year run as VP government affairs at engineering giant CH2M Hill.

Hood, who began his career as an aide to Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, also held different jobs in the George W. Bush administration, exiting as special assistant to the president in the White House’s office of legislative affairs.

Yong Sohn, Hyundai VP, said Hood will help the Korean car company navigate the complex and dynamic US political landscape.

“Rob’s decades of experience in government affairs and his strong reputation will be invaluable as Hyundai continues to engage on important policy issues that impact the auto industry,” said Sohn.

Hyundai manufactures Sonata and Elantra cars at its Montgomery, AL plant, which opened in 2005.

The company says it has invested $10B in the US, which includes outlays in California for its US headquarters (Fountain Valley), design center (Irvine) and testing grounds (Irwindale), as well as a Detroit engineering complex.