Mr. Brent Franzel is a seasoned government relations strategist and Principal at Cardinal Point Partners, aWashington, D.C.–based public affairs firm specializing in federal and state engagement, policy development,and strategic funding initiatives.

He brings more than 30 years of experience in U.S. government and legislative affairs, beginning his career on the legislative staff of then–Missouri Governor Christopher S. Bond. He later served as Director of Research and Policy Development for Senator Bond’s U.S. Senate campaign and as Legislative Counsel in his U.S. Senate office from 1987 to 1994, where he developed deep expertise in legislative process, policy formation, and federal stakeholder engagement.

In addition to his government service, Mr. Franzel has extensive experience supporting infrastructure and energy-related ventures in securing public funding and navigating complex government incentive and appropriations processes. He has worked closely withearly-stage and growth-stage companies to align project development with federal, state, and local funding pathways.

Within the Critical Minerals Platform, Mr. Franzel supports government relations strategy, public sector engagement, and policy alignment across federal and state stakeholders.

His role is focused on strengthening institutional relationships, supporting funding and incentive structuring, and ensuring alignment between platform development and U.S. policy priorities in critical minerals, energy security, and industrial supply chain resilience. Through his experience and long-standing public affairs expertise, he provides a critical bridge between the platform’s commercial objectives and government engagement strategy, helping position initiatives for strategic alignment and public-sectorsupport.​