Why It Matters
Vaya Defense & Space Inc., a Cocoa, Florida, maker of hybrid rocket propulsion systems for military and space customers, has registered lobbying firm Whitmer & Worrall LLC to represent it on Capitol Hill. The new client registration was signed Monday, July 27, and covers aerospace, budget and appropriations, and defense.
By The Numbers
Whitmer & Worrall LLC reported $690,000 in lobbying revenue over the most recent quarter and currently carries 24 active clients across 82 active lobbying disclosure filings. Two lobbyists are assigned to the Vaya account: founding partner Martin Whitmer Jr. and director of government relations Morgan Collins.
Broader Context
The registration follows a stretch of expanding military work for the company. Spectrum News reported in March that Vaya is working with the U.S. Department of Defense on an alternative engine for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and on a hypersonic propulsion program with Air Force Global Strike Command. Chief Executive Officer Kevin Lowdermilk said at the time that the company was already sizing its manufacturing footprint against demand projected for 2027 and 2028, driven in part by the escalating war with Iran.
The Bottom Line
Vaya is signalling that they're expecting growth to be driven through government contracts. Contract awards flow through the appropriations cycle, and hiring a firm with an established defense and appropriations client base positions the company ahead of fiscal 2027 spending negotiations. The quarter three report, due in October, will show whether the relationship translates into disclosed spending or stays nominal.
Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights.
Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article