Experience

University of Maryland School of Public Policy

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Associate Clinical Professor | Director, Civic Innovation Center

  • Mar 2018 - Present

  Our complex public policy challenges increasingly require the involvement of active, engaged citizens and leaders from all sectors of society including government, not-for-profits, and the private sector. I am principal advisor to the Dean and lead the University of Maryland School of Public Policy's application of its educational, research, and practice resources focused on civic engagement and cross-sectoral governance. We train future leaders; promote a robust research agenda to understand all the issues; and deploy all of our practice and innovation assets to tackle the challenges to better civic engagement and collaborative governance in the State of Maryland and beyond. - Founding Director, CivIC Maryland, the Civic Innovation Center. Build and maintain SPP's infrastructure and relationships with on-campus and off-campus partners in civic engagement and collaborative governance. Ensure project work is carried out consistent with objectives, budgets, and within stated time frames, and spearhead fundraising to expand project impact and effectiveness. - Convene meetings and manage strategic communications with policy makers, business, and civil society leaders to advance SPP's role in public policy problem-solving. - Work closely with SPP administration, faculty, staff and students to establish a robust education, research and practice agenda that aligns with the strategic priorities of the School.



The LBJ School of Public Affairs

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Washington Center Steering Committee Member

  • 2014 - Present

  Inaugural Steering Committee Member who helped launched an institution offering graduate-level public policy education combined with structured Washington work apprenticeships, consistent with President Johnson's vision. Provide counsel on fundraising, leadership development, and student recruitment. Currently advise the LBJ School's Dean and the Center’s Director on a wide range of academic and operational issues from curriculum to apprenticeship opportunities, practitioner engagement, and graduate placement.



K/Town Strategies, LLC

• Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Principal

  • May 2017 - May 2019

  Designed and executed government relations and strategic communications strategies focused on nexus between federal and state/local government policy making. Specialized in establishing Washington government affairs capabilities, navigating legislative and regulatory processes, industry coalition management, and, coordination with grassroots and public relations capabilities. Government Relations Partner, Rock Sport & Gaming Advisors. Counsel to a diverse client base seeking successful positioning in regulated sport betting and iGaming marketplaces. Rock SGA is an international team of advisors with operating experience in established U.S. and European markets, online & land-based gaming and sports wagering markets, combined with transatlantic government relations and policy expertise.



Washington National Cathedral

• Religious Institutions
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Member, Task Force on Civic and Ecclesiastical Engagement

  • Apr 2017 - Apr 2018

  Member of Task Force appointed by the Episcopal Bishop of Washington and the Dean of the Washington National Cathedral. Charged with gathering insights from leaders in the local and national Episcopal church, local and national governments, other religious traditions, and non-profits to make recommendations on the Cathedral’s current and potential role in public life. Co-chair of Task Force's Public Engagement Subcommittee, responsible for outreach and interviews with leaders in government and public theology.



Prime Policy Group

• United States
• Government Relations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Managing Director

  • 2002 - 2017

  Public policy executive who provided high-level strategic counsel to the global client base of a leading, bi-partisan government affairs firm. Offered client leadership through oversight of comprehensive government relations campaigns including strategic planning, message development, counsel on legislative procedure, and direct lobbying of Congress members/staff and Executive Branch officials. Enhanced effectiveness and success of wide range of clients as advocate for renewable energy, technology, hospitality, telecommunications, local government, travel and tourism, retail, agricultural industry, and manufacturing sectors. Established a Washington public affairs presence on behalf of multiple global corporations, including a leading enterprise software company and the world’s leading producer of industrial enzymes. Served as treasurer of firm’s political action committee. - Principal Washington advocate for a large, urban California county; led team that secured $10M+ in Federal support for county infrastructure, health, and criminal justice programs. - Exhibited substantive leadership as volunteer strategist for House, Senate, and Presidential campaigns, including immigration issues task force for successful 2008 Obama Presidential campaign. - Selected as member of Government Relations Teams to troubleshoot for political V.I.P.s at 2004, 2008, and 2016 Democratic National Conventions.



Podesta.com

• Washington, DC

• Principal

  • 2001 - 2002

  Demonstrated leadership while guiding a diverse set of Washington government relations and communications firm’s clients through all phases of the Federal policy-making process. - Contributed to success of client teams focused on housing finance, international trade, consumer privacy, and domestic express freight delivery issues as lead Senate Democratic lobbyist. Demonstrated leadership while guiding a diverse set of Washington government relations and communications firm’s clients through all phases of the Federal policy-making process. - Contributed to success of client teams focused on housing finance, international trade, consumer privacy, and domestic express freight delivery issues as lead Senate Democratic lobbyist.



U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD)

• Washington D.C.

• Floor Assistant to the Democratic Leader

  • 1996 - 2001

  Supported Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) by advising members of Senate Democratic caucus and senior staff on all aspects of Senate floor operations. Provided counsel on legislative strategy and in-depth analysis of pending legislative matters. Demonstrated leadership under pressure through coordination of time-sensitive negotiations between legislative sponsors, senior committee staff, and committee chairs/ranking members, leadership staff and administration principals, and Republican floor staff and principals on disposition of Senate Legislative and Executive Calendar items. - Principal floor contact for Senate Banking Committee, Senate Government Affairs Committee and Senate Indian Affairs Committee on all legislative unanimous consent agreements. - Contributed to successful communication strategy as Speech Writer for the Democratic Leader.



U.S. Senate Democratic Policy Committee

• Washington, DC

• Domestic Policy Advisor

  • 1993 - 1996

  Principal leadership staffer on commerce, economic competitiveness, trade, telecommunications, technology, labor, government reform, and campaign finance issues. Led caucus working groups, developed policy proposals, and drafted communications apprising Senate Democratic caucus members, staff, and constituent groups of Democratic leadership policy positions. - Managed all activities of Senator Daschle's and Senator Jeff Bingaman's (D-NM) Task Force on High-Wage Jobs. Recruited outside academic and industry experts, built support among Democratic caucus members, and drafted the Task Force's final report and legislative product.



Campaign Staff of U.S. Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD)

• Washington, DC and Sioux Falls, SD

• Issues Advisor

  • 1991 - 1992

  Designed and implemented candidate and opposition research strategies and briefed the Senator prior to candidate debates for successful 1992 Senate re-election campaign. Designed and implemented candidate and opposition research strategies and briefed the Senator prior to candidate debates for successful 1992 Senate re-election campaign.



Texas Governor Ann Richards

• Austin, TX

• Transition/Legislative Assistant

  • 1990 - 1991

  Transition team assistant to the Governor-elect, then legislative analyst in Governor’s Economic Development and International Trade Office. Transition team assistant to the Governor-elect, then legislative analyst in Governor’s Economic Development and International Trade Office.



Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer, Office of Federal Relations

• Washington, DC

• Legislative Analyst

  • 1990 - 1990

  Advocated for Governor William D. Schaefer’s policy interests before Congress and Federal agencies. Helped secure funding for Chesapeake Bay conservation and promoted cultural and business exchange initiatives between Maryland and Eastern European countries. Advocated for Governor William D. Schaefer’s policy interests before Congress and Federal agencies. Helped secure funding for Chesapeake Bay conservation and promoted cultural and business exchange initiatives between Maryland and Eastern European countries.



Congressional Quarterly

• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Assistant

  • 1987 - 1989

  Provided research support to CQ Weekly magazine reporting staff as well as subscribers to CQ’s suite of information services. Wrote time-sensitive analysis of major Congressional legislative activities for CQ’s Key Votes publication. Provided research support to CQ Weekly magazine reporting staff as well as subscribers to CQ’s suite of information services. Wrote time-sensitive analysis of major Congressional legislative activities for CQ’s Key Votes publication.