Chris Connelly Email & Phone Number

Washington, DC

Manages ASME's government relations team and helps develop and advocate for its public priorities.

Washington, DC

• Serve as the Congresswoman’s top aide, supervising all operations for the Member, including policy, political, legislative, media, and personnel issues.
• Manage a staff of 19 employees, three congressional offices and an annual budget of $1.6 million. Additionally, oversee campaign team of over a dozen individuals during election years.
• Analyze and advise the Representative on strategic and political decisions involving political relations and legislative strategy on Capitol Hill.
• Devise and implement an office strategic plan fusing policy, administrative and communications goals and strategies.

• Serve as the Congressman’s top aide, supervising all operations for the Member, including policy, political, legislative, media, and personnel issues.
• Manage a staff of 19 employees, three congressional offices and an annual budget of $1.5 million. Additionally, oversee campaign team of over a dozen individuals during election years.
• Successfully implemented a robust, highly effective communications operation relying on traditional earned media and utilizing new media in a variety of spectrums. The congressman is one of the more highly recognized.
• Analyze and advise the Representative on strategic and political decisions involving political relations and legislative strategy on Capitol Hill.
• Devise and implement an office strategic plan fusing policy, administrative and communications goals and strategies.
• Successfully managed the opening of a new Member office operation, including the hiring of personnel, development of office structure, and institution of office policies for three offices.

• Lead and manage a professional team in developing, coordinating and implementing strategic communications campaigns across all media that supports the goals the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
• Devise and manage an aggressive branding and marketing campaign for the U.S. Chamber, highlighting the Chamber’s corporate efforts regarding issues such as intellectual property, trade and international commerce.
• Work closely with corporate board members of the U.S. Chamber to ensure communications efforts support and enhance these member priorities.
• Manage a media affairs team that specializes in securing earned media with effective messaging targeted at key audiences, including relations with Washington, D.C., national and international media.
• Conducts an aggressive multi-media operation, including effective social media programs.

• Supervises the Office of Communications, managing over 100 highly skilled public affairs professionals with an annual budget of $10 million.
• Senior communication official, directing the USDA through crisis management and risk mitigation situations. Most recent issues include biofuels and energy, flooding in the Midwest, trade, rising food and fuel prices.
• Responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of USDA's strategic communications and outreach efforts to consumers, industry and Congress.
• Member of the government’s Senior Executive Service, reporting directly to the Secretary of Agriculture and indirectly to the White House, advising on communications and policy issues impacting national and.
• Establishes goals and direction for public affairs programs while ensuring quality control through coordination of communication strategies of over 30 USDA agencies.

• Served as the Congresswoman’s top aide and spokesman.
• Devised and implemented a comprehensive communications strategy.
• Managed a staff of 19 employees, four congressional offices and an annual budget of $1million.
• Analyzed and advised the Congresswoman on strategic and political decisions involving political relations and legislative strategy on Capitol Hill.
• Supervised all operations for the Congresswoman, including political, legislative, media, and personnel issues. Handled policy decisions and press for the Congresswoman.

• As spokesman, organized and conducted press conferences for the Congressman. Also disbursed all press releases to media outlets.
• Devised press and media strategies to most effectively communicate the Congressman’s message.
• Wrote talking points and speeches for the Congressman.
• Worked with policy staff on proposed legislation.
• Key participant in the daily political decision making with the Chief of Staff and the Congressman.

• Devised and analyzed policy briefs for NRCC Chairman Tom Davis (VA-11).
• Wrote speeches for political events for various Members of Congress including the Speaker of the House.
• Researched and authored NRCC press releases on current legislation.
• Consulted with political department on election communications, tier one and two targeting, and enhancement of Republican incumbents in their districts via effective issue framing.
• Aided Republican candidates for open seats.

• Coordinated internship program and managed operations of all staff assistants and interns.
• Administered the Whip job placement program.
• Managed daily press clips.
• Collaborated with press and policy staff on written and research projects.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Communication

Masters, National Security

Activities and Societies: RAMS RCA

Masters, Public Policy

Ba, Government