Provides strategic leadership, executes, and oversees operations and activities to support the executives of veterinary medical associations and their professional memberships. VMAE is comprised of about 150 individuals who lead and manage some 80 veterinary associations in North America and beyond.

Provided strategic input and operational leadership on decisions and issues affecting the Association and supporting the staff. Supported the deliberations and activities of the Board of Directors, House of Delegates and House Advisory Committee. Planed and executed initiatives and programs to implement policies of the Board of Directors. Served as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

Developed and implemented highly successful state relations and advocacy program for national professional association. Advised and coached elected and executive leadership on public policy, political matters, legal consulting and association management issues. Partnered with state veterinary medical associations to address numerous management, policy and regulatory challenges. Developed a 50-state legislative tracking and alert system. Drafted and coordinated approval of recommendations through the AVMA’s policy-making process. Provided principal staff support to task force examining and recommending changes to governance structure and increasing member engagement. Developed outreach programs to educate state policy makers and legal community about animal medical issues. Designed and managed public policy and grass roots advocacy programs for veterinarians including symposia. Hired, trained and supervised employees, interns and vendors.

Directed governance, legal, public policy, marketing and communications activities for health care accreditation association as part of senior management team. Provided principal staff support to committees charged with strategic planning and review of governance structure and association bylaws. Managed process for revision of accreditation standards including performance measurement, quality assurance and medical records. Communicated revisions to standards to stakeholders, including physicians, ambulatory care facilities and managed care organizations. Coordinated activities related to international expansion and cooperative agreements. Directed HIPAA privacy compliance program. Redesigned trade show exhibit, newsletter and marketing materials. Updated website content and user interface. Selected, hired and trained employees.

Managed advocacy and chapter relations activities for national medical specialty association. Assisted state and regional societies in building effective organizations and communication tools. Managed $200,000 annual program budget. Developed and recommended policies to board of directors and committees. Monitored, analyzed and reported on legislative and regulatory issues. Supervised Washington lobbyist and negotiated yearly contract. Developed and promoted annual legislative conference. Developed political education and training programs. Administered and promoted PAC and recommended contributions to Congressional candidates. Prepared special bulletins and articles for society publications and newsletters. Created newsletter for regional societies and edited award-winning guide to assist regional societies in building active organizations.

Developed and promoted association standards and procedures for new program to accredit lawyer specialty certification organizations. Served as staff counsel for accreditation application evaluation committee. Provided technical assistance to state regulators and private entities involved in establishing, administering and regulating lawyer specialty certification programs.Managed legal and government relations for American Prepaid Legal Services Institute, a national membership association affiliated with the American Bar Association. Handled corporate and non-profit association legal matters. Supervised outside counsel in formation of 501(c)(6) tax-exempt entity to facilitate lobbying activities. Coordinated successful legislative efforts to extend the federal tax exclusion for employer-provided group legal service benefits in 1990 and 1991. Drafted and submitted brief on behalf of industry to the IRS regarding the application of tax laws.

Conducted legal research. Wrote and edited revenue-producing legal publications.