Alexandria, Virginia, United States
Government affairs and advocacy professional with 20 years of legislative, advocacy, and management experience in the Executive and Legislative branches of government as well as in the private sector. Major strengths include: strong leadership skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills; attention to detail; and ability to think creatively and strategically. Ability to maintain composure in high-pressure situations and under tight deadlines. Extensive knowledge of the federal legislative and regulatory processes.
• Congressional Affairs Specialist for NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), providing assistance in the development and implementation of agency policies, including those affecting fishery conservation and management in the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Alaska fisheries. • Provide advice, guidance, and assistance to NOAA leadership and senior managers concerning the policy positions of Congress, legislative activity, Congressional testimony, and official correspondence. • Function as a liaison with Members of Congress, their staff, and the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. • Review, analyze, and summarize proposed and pending legislation and related materials.
• Responsible for the management of the Washington, DC office, including legislative, communications, and constituent services operations. • Set goals, responsibilities, and standards for the office, and mentored staff to define and achieve their own objectives. • Directed the coordination of the communications and legislative staff to ensure wide public dissemination of the Member’s work and accomplishments.
• Responsible for the construction and implementation of a successful legislative strategy designed to address the district’s needs, reflect the Member’s interests, and leverage committee assignments. • Supervised and advised the legislative team to develop goals and to create, identify, and capitalize on legislative opportunities. • Collaborated with state and federal officials, constituency groups, committee staff, and other Member offices to develop legislative proposals that addressed needs, solved problems, and could gather the broad support needed to be passed. • Staffed the Congresswoman on the Natural Resources Committee.
• Advised Member and senior staff on legislative matters in the following issue areas: business and financial services, energy and environment, health care, housing, taxes, telecommunications, transportation, and veterans. • Drafted legislative proposals, floor and press statements, and briefing materials. • Worked with constituency groups, committee staff, and other congressional offices to identify and address needs in the aforementioned issue areas.
• Crafted and implemented advocacy strategy, conducted research and developed materials for successful advocacy of client issues. • Monitored legislation for pertinent changes to specific policies and regulations. • Produced updates and reports for distribution to supervisors, clients, and colleagues on Congressional activity. • Served as a liaison and facilitated meetings between clients, Members of Congress, and Congressional staff.
• Supported senior personnel in daily activities, including arranging travel and meetings, and correspondence with clients and Congressional staff. • Assisted in the production of proposals for representation of both public entities and private clients. • Aided in the creation of reports and updates on legislative activity for clients and senior staff.