Arlington, Virginia, United States
Robust experience in advocacy, government affairs, marketing, communications, and community engagement. Strong background in advancing legislation, advising members of congress and congressional staff, and effectively communicating with business communities, advocates, and legislators. Bipartisan political, advocacy, and business experience. Adept at developing new strategies for advocacy campaigns, including building advocate networks, activating key influencers at the right times, and creating sustainable fundraising and grassroots programs. Strategic thinker who anticipates challenges and designs advocacy and communications campaigns to respond appropriately. The ideal career atmosphere is where new ideas and strategies are welcome and decision-making is required. I am also interested in meeting like-minded professionals and would be happy to connect with you directly.
Direct Melwood's public policy, advocacy, communications and marketing efforts, including overseeing messaging and outreach to the public, media, and community leaders. Represent Melwood to Congress, state lawmakers, and other stakeholder groups to advance organization's mission.
Direct Melwood's public policy agenda and advocacy efforts, including direct, indirect, and grassroots lobbying and other advocacy initiatives. Represent Melwood to Congress, state lawmakers, and other stakeholder groups to advance organization's mission.
• Promoted from Manager, Federal Government Affairs • Worked with congressional staff, stakeholder coalitions, and industry partners to secure introduction and passage of two federal legislative proposals that became law. One established a national traceability system for prescription drug products; the other brought additional clarity and consistency to the Controlled Substances Act. • Lobbied Congress on major issues such as pharmaceutical importation, prescription drug abuse, pharmaceutical traceability, DEA and FDA oversight and enforcement, and tax reform issues. Successes include enactment of two federal laws, managing diverse coalitions, representing HDA before Congress and industry peers, and working with Congressional staff to advance the public policy agenda. • Staff lead lobbying Congress on pharmaceutical importation, including producing infographics, congressional letters, and an op-ed published in The Hill. Increased visibility of organization and educated members of Congress on the unique impacts of proposals on industry. Represented HDA and industry position to coalitions, members of Congress, and contract lobbyists, engaging in strategic communication of positioning and priorities. • Managed the HDA PAC including setting the annual budget, conducting staff and member company solicitations, overseeing compliance and reporting, developing quarterly updates to HDA PAC Advisory Board, and publishing annual reports on PAC activities. • Maintain advantageous relationships and connections to expansive network of contacts. • Represented HDA in industry coalitions, in front of Congressional staff and Members of Congress. • Frequent presenter at seminars on PAC management hosted by the Public Affairs Council, including the National PAC Conference 2014 and the Senior-Level Association PAC FUNdraising Workshop.
• Lobbied on major issues such as prescription drug abuse, pharmaceutical traceability, DEA and FDA oversight and enforcement, and tax issues. • Identified, monitored and researched priority federal legislation through reading and analysis of legislative bills, reports, journals, files and various media. Generated reports geared toward identifying and analyzing issue trends. Provided regular updates of priority bills. • Designed and launched HDMA's federal and state grassroots program and contributed to increased reporting and amplification of industry wide advocacy efforts. Program recognized by industry organizations, including the Public Affairs Council. • Presented Advocacy Program at Public Affairs Council "In-District Strategy" Workshop with high reviews, and subsequently produced a video for the Council sharing tips with colleagues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8PM87DIJaI&list=UUJAj26D-rhsIjsSW0f54_WQ&index=1 • Authored the HDMA Election Report (to date: 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016) and committed to producing such a report each election cycle for the benefit of HDMA distributor and manufacturer members. • Produced the HDMA Advocacy Report (to date: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016) and committed to producing such a report each year to recognize and catalog industry advocacy activities. • Attended committee hearings, markups and industry meetings and reviewed proceedings with membership and executive leadership. Worked with industry partners, including other trade associations and companies in the healthcare industry. • Researched and developed issue briefs, testimony, proposals, letters, memos, and summaries as needed on plethora of issues impacting the pharmaceutical industry. • Assisted Director with administrative and strategic coordination of the HDMAPAC.
Analyzed and tracked state, federal, and international legislation and regulatory actions to advise DSA legal council and member companies of pending issues involving the industry, including cooling off and business opportunity rules, independent contracting status, anti-pyramid scheme legislation Liaised with state legislators and federal organizations, including FTC and Chamber of Commerce about proposed policy initiatives to inform them of the potential effects on direct selling companies Arranged conferences with federal level participation to be used as a resource for member companies and DSA staff Managed the Direct Selling Association Political Action Committee for all check disbursements and receipts, including filing with the FEC and Congressional Lobbying to ensure compliance Managed advocacy website and develop messaging and communications tools for use in grassroots mobilization.
Edited and proofread Title 1, Title 31, and the State Constitution after it was released from Colorado’s Legislative Council for printing, specifically discovering a mistake in the drafted constitution that saved the state thousands of dollars and prevented the distribution of thousands of misprinted copies of the Colorado State Constitution Processed apostilles and certificates to authenticate documents for foreign travel Coordinated with foreign governments on document authentication and acceptance, ensuring compliance with Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents Handled accounting for the front desk with all monetary transactions Assisted with campaign finance and political party registration, including filing dates and reports due from candidates and candidate committees Created maps of the State of Colorado, including specific districts, for campaigns, candidates, and constituents
Answered and directed incoming calls from constituents and other Senate or House offices Drafted constituent responses containing detailed information about pending legislation and the Senator’s opinions that pertained to their questions, specializing in immigration policy issues Researched issues and legislation for presentation to the Legislative Assistant and Legislative Director on homeland security and budget issues