TEAM / John Ohly
John Ohly joined The Southern Group in 2026, bringing nearly two decades of experience on Capitol Hill and federal advocacy for a major U.S. trade association. His background spans congressional oversight, federal policy, and strategic advocacy, with deep expertise in automotive innovation, cybersecurity, supply chain resilience, professional and amateur athletics, and complex legislative negotiations.
Most recently, Ohly served as Head of Congressional Affairs for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, where he led federal strategy and advocacy on a broad range of issues vital to the automotive industry in the U.S., including global competitiveness, supply chain resilience, as well as vehicle safety, security, and privacy. As a member of the senior leadership of the association, he also contributed to the development and evolution of the association since it’s formation in 2020.
Ohly began his career on Capitol Hill with the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform before joining the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s oversight and investigations team under Chairmen Fred Upton and Greg Walden. His work spanned the automotive sector, technology and cybersecurity, energy, critical infrastructure, national security, disaster response, and public health, and included leadership of the bipartisan Encryption Working Group.
In 2018, Ohly transitioned to the private sector as Director of Federal Affairs for the Alliance for Automobile Manufacturers, representing 12 of the nation’s largest automakers and establishing a standing automotive cybersecurity working group.
Following the 2020 formation of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents automakers responsible for more than 95% of new vehicles sold in the U.S., Ohly served on the senior leadership team. In that role, he led federal affairs during COVID-19, navigated the semiconductor shortage, and negotiated automotive safety provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Ohly earned a Bachelor of Arts in Diplomatic History from the University of Pennsylvania. His lives in McLean, Virginia with his wife, Kiley, and two children.