Conservative Think Tank Names Derrick Morgan Chief of Staff
The conservative think tank has tapped its executive vice president, Derrick Morgan, to take over as chief of staff, replacing Ryan Neuhaus. This move signals a leadership shift at an influential policy shop that works closely with Republican lawmakers and conservative activists. The appointment is being framed as a practical, experienced choice to keep the organization strong and focused.
Morgan steps into the role with an insider’s perspective on the institution’s priorities and relationships, which is exactly what conservative institutions need right now. He already knows the staff, the donors, and the policy agendas the group advances, so the transition should be quick and effective. For Republicans who want steady management and clear messaging, this is welcome news.
Expect Morgan to emphasize operational discipline and tighter coordination between policy teams and external partners, not flashy reinvention. That kind of focus helps conservative ideas move from papers to real influence in legislatures and in Washington. The chief of staff job is about execution, and Morgan’s promotion suggests the think tank wants a results-first posture.
The announcement names Ryan Neuhaus as the outgoing chief of staff but gives no public hint about the circumstances beyond the leadership change itself. Regardless of why Neuhaus is leaving, the organization’s priority is continuity in advancing its conservative mission. Replacing a chief of staff from within avoids a disruptive external search and keeps the group’s momentum intact.
Operationally, a chief of staff who rose through the organization tends to tighten chains of command and streamline decision making, which can be a competitive advantage for policy groups. That efficiency matters when bills are moving fast or when messaging must be coordinated across a campaign, a congressional office, and allied nonprofits. Conservatives benefit when their institutions operate with discipline and clarity.
Morgan’s record inside the organization shows familiarity with long-term strategy and day-to-day execution, and that dual perspective is the asset the role demands. He has overseen programs, managed relationships with lawmakers, and helped guide the think tank’s public voice in policy debates. Promoting someone who has delivered inside the house reduces the learning curve for leaders who rely on the institution for timely analysis and practical guidance.
The broader conservative movement gains from stability at major policy centers because those institutions feed ideas, cadres, and plans into campaigns and legislatures. A chief of staff who keeps the organization humming also protects the credibility of its research and the impact of its outreach. For Republican policymakers, consistent support from a focused think tank is an underappreciated ingredient of long-term success.
As Morgan settles into the chief of staff role, expect the group to keep pushing center-right policy proposals while sharpening the channels that turn research into action. The emphasis will likely be on practical tools for lawmakers, clearer communication to sympathetic audiences, and tighter collaboration with allied groups. That practical, results-oriented approach fits the conservative playbook for turning ideas into policy wins.