Karthik Venkatraman

Karthik Venkatraman is the defense policy advisor to Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK). In this role, he oversees all defense priorities for the senator. Prior to this position, Karthik was the national security advisor and legislative director to Representative Pat Fallon (R-TX), chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee in the House Armed Services Committee and member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Prior to joining Capitol Hill, Karthik served as head of government affairs at Epirus, a defense technology startup, where he led engagement with congressional committees, including Armed Services, Intelligence, Appropriations, and Homeland Security. Karthik is a U.S. Navy veteran with 11 years of service — eight on active duty and three in the Navy Reserve. As a submarine officer, he served aboard the USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720) and later supported congressional affairs for Naval Intelligence (N2/N6). In the reserves, he has held roles at the Office of Naval Research, Department Head for Plans and Policy (N5) at U.S. Navy 10th Fleet (Fleet Cyber Command). He is currently assigned to Submarine Pacific Command. Karthik holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, an MBA from the University of Maryland, and an M.A. in strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College.