Jay Hauhn Excellence in Partnerships Award

2026 Hauhn Award Recipient: Ryan Burns

SIA has named Ryan Burns as the 2026 recipient of the Jay Hauhn Excellence in Partnerships Award. Burns is senior director of federal government affairs at Walmart, where he leads the company’s federal advocacy on technology, artificial intelligence, health care, competition and energy. As a strategic advisor to the enterprise, he helps Walmart manage risk and navigate complex challenges at the intersection of public policy, corporate reputation and stakeholder trust, and he also works across industries to build coalitions, shape public policy and advance shared priorities. Burns’ career spans government affairs, corporate strategy and business management. Before returning to federal government affairs, he served as head of strategy and acting head of sales for Sam’s Club’s Connect, where he helped drive the growth and transformation of Sam’s Club’s retail media business. Prior to this role, he spent seven years on Walmart’s Federal Government Affairs team, leading the company’s engagement with the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Burns began his career in public service as a legislative fellow in the office of U.S. Rep. Bill Posey of Florida. He holds an MBA from the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Covenant College. He has also studied theology at Reformed Theological Seminary.

Burns’ leadership in fostering security industry collaboration includes helping lead a broad, cross-industry coalition advocating to preserve the existing framework governing the Lower 900 MHz spectrum band, which supports millions of devices used in security, safety and other essential applications. Through his work with the SpecTech Alliance, he has brought together a broad, diverse set of  industry stakeholders to elevate technical analysis, highlight the potential impacts of proposed regulatory changes and engage constructively with federal policymakers on the importance of preserving access to this critical spectrum resource.

[View the official press release.]