Royal Kastens is Vice President of Global Public Policy and Advocacy at SEMI, based in Washington, D.C. In this role, he leads the association’s global government relations portfolio, directing strategies that strengthen SEMI’s public policy agenda and advance advocacy initiatives worldwide. Kastens partners closely with SEMI regional presidents to expand the organization’s reach, deepen engagement with policymakers, and support SEMI’s global network of public policy committees and member companies.
Kastens began his career as Personal Aide to Senator Edward M. Kennedy and later served on the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, focusing on European affairs and security assistance. He subsequently held consulting and leadership roles at Van Scoyoc Associates before joining SEMI in 2022 as Director of Policy and Advocacy.
He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. in Government from Johns Hopkins University.