Meet Our Team

Dax Swatek is a founding partner of SV&B. He has extensive knowledge and experience in both state government affairs and general strategic consulting within the political arena. Dax began his career in politics and has first-hand knowledge of both the political process and the legislative process on the federal and state levels having interned on Capitol Hill for Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6th) and later served as an Alabama Field Director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 1996 election cycle. He has served as a consultant to numerous other successful campaigns including as an advisor to the McCain for President Campaign and prior to that as General Consultant and advisor to Governor Bob Riley’s Re-Election Campaign and numerous legislators and other statewide elected officials. Dax served as political analyst and commentator for Alabama Public Television’s “For The Record” and for the NBC affiliate WSFA’s “Election Night” coverage

Dax Swatek completed his undergraduate work at Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History. He also has a Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law. He currently resides in Homewood, Alabama with his wife Rachael and their daughter Amelia. 

Sommer Vaughn is a Partner who joined the firm in 2015, after serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives. Sommer has worked on issues related to budgets, education policy, energy policy, appointments and virtually every other aspect of the legislative process. Sommer has worked closely with members of both parties and has tremendous experience advocating for issues across the aisle and bringing compromise to complicated issues.

Prior to working with the legislature, Sommer worked in the office of Governor Bob Riley as an assistant to the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff. Prior to her work in the Executive branch, she served as a political director under Chairman Twinkle Cavanaugh at the Alabama Republican Party. Sommer is a graduate of Samford University. She resides in Pike Road, Alabama with her two sons Gaines and Cavender.

Philip Bryan is a partner with Swatek, Vaughn and Bryan, having joined the firm in 2018. Prior to the creation of SV&B, Philip served as the Chief of Staff for the President Pro Tem of the Alabama Senate. During his 8 years as Senator Del Marsh’s Chief of Staff, Philip became a mainstay on Yellowhammer News Power & Influence 50, citing his unparalleled knowledge of the legislative process, as well as the relationships that he developed with decision- makers at all levels of government.

Philip began his career in politics in 2007, when he joined the Alabama Republican Party as Communications Director. While at the ALGOP, Philip and the team successfully worked to elected majorities in the House and Senate for the first time in 136 years. Philip graduated from Auburn University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. He currently resides in Montgomery, Al with his wife Brittany and their two children.

Matt Oliver joined SV&B during the 2019 legislative session. Prior to joining SV&B, Matt interned with Senators Holley, Dial, and Ward in the Alabama Senate during the 2018 legislative session. While with SV&B, Matt completed his undergrad at Faulkner University, and graduated from Faulkner’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in 2023. He has been a member of the Alabama Bar Association since 2023. During his time in Law School, he was a member of the Faulkner Law Review, the Faulkner Elder Law Clinic, and the Faulkner Mediation Clinic.

Matt and his wife, Paisley, reside in Pike Road, AL with their son, Callahan.