Andrew Romero Email & Phone Number

Alexandria, Va, Us

Alexandria, Va

Senior leader overseeing public health programs focused on capacity building and advocacy for policy change. Provide strategic leadership and excellence in training and technical assistance. Supervise staff and manage multiple cooperative agreements, grants, and contracts.• Strengthened CADCA’s leadership as a Center of Excellence in training and technical assistance (TA) by developing core competencies, coalition planning tools, and a systematic, evidence-based TA framework. These innovations enhanced CADCA’s ability to deliver effective training and TA, empowering public health coalitions to address challenges, track progress, and measure both their impact and CADCA’s overall contribution to healthier communities.• Re-imagined and now lead the Geographic Health Equity Alliance (GHEA), a CDC National Network building the capacity of state and territory tobacco-control and cancer-control programs to address policy gaps driving geographic health disparities. GHEA focuses on supporting public health programs and coalitions in diverse communities across the U.S. Southeast, Midwest, and rural areas.• Oversee a $2 million portfolio of public health capacity-building programs that empower public health staff, coalition leaders, and youth to drive state and local policy change, creating healthier, stronger communities. These programs include comprehensive training and TA focused on tobacco and cancer control (including HPV vaccination, active transportation, nutrition and physical activity), substance use prevention, policy surveillance, public interest communications, and coalition development.• Cultivate and manage high-level relationships with Federal, State, and local partners, public health programs, non-profit organizations, higher-education institutions, and private-sector partners. Leverage these partnerships to strategically advance public health initiatives, secure funding, and improve CADCA's training and TA programs.

Gainesville, Florida Area

Led and supervised a health policy department in developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and initiatives in the areas of tobacco-control, obesity, violence prevention, maternal and child health, oral health, mental health, and health in all policies.Positions Held:Director, Health Policy: July 2016 – July 2018Program Manager, Health Policy: May 2012 – July 2016Specialist, Health Policy: Jan 2008 – May 2012Key Contributions:• Secured and managed more than $2 million in grant funding for community health programs for the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County, FL.• Supported multiple grassroots coalitions in advocating for health policy and systems changes, notably leading to the adoption of the first local tobacco retail license in the Southeastern United States. This initiative also restricted the sale of tobacco products around schools and raised the minimum legal sales age for tobacco products to 21.• Developed state and local advocacy strategies for Tobacco Free Florida, including establishing goals, objectives, and work plan activities which facilitated the adoption of best-practice health policies in cities and counties across Florida.• Authored Tobacco Free Florida’s Public Housing Authority (PHA) Timetable and Worksite Toolkits. The PHA Timetable has helped more than 30 public housing authorities in Florida adopt and smoothly implement best-practice smoke-free policies.• Created a first in the nation smoke-free housing certification program for the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Apartment Association. This private-public partnership helps public health practitioners encourage the adoption of smoke-free housing policies in apartment communities and empowers Florida residents to identify smoke-free housing options.

Gainesville, Florida Area

Grew a volunteer-led non-profit (501c3) from a service-based organization into a political force which represents the voice of young professionals in the region. Mentored dozens of young leaders in strategic planning, non-profit management, communications, public policy, and advocacy.Positions Held:President: Nov 2012 – Jul 2017Vice-President: Nov 2010 – Oct 2012Public Policy Chair: Sept 2008 – Oct 2010Key Contributions:• Spearheaded the development of two multi-year strategic plans (2010, 2016).• Formulated and adopted a sustainable funding model which generates revenue from a mix of partnerships and sponsorships with local employers, grants, and membership dues. • Developed and implemented project management tools (e.g. work plans, budgets) for ACEL’s committees to effectively plan, set objectives, measure progress, and remain accountable.• Founded the ACEL Public Policy Committee and public policy platform.• Represented the organization in public relations and communications activities.

Master Of Education, Social Foundations Of Education

Bachelor Of Arts, Political Science

Associate Of Arts (A.A.), Political Science