Eric Akers Email & Phone Number

Mclean, Virginia

Vienna, Va

Identified and pursued federal government contracting opportunities in the national security, healthcare, and homeland security arena. Researched incumbent companies, represented Credence in meetings, and explored potential partnerships for new government contracts. Established teaming arrangements, built pricing models, and vetted resumes for multiple proposals.Researched and edited company proposals to ensure accuracy, compliance, and readability while clearly communicating company capabilities and objectives. Translated highly-technical capabilities summaries so they were easier to understand and follow. Drafted company pricing and small business plans for multiple bids for federal contracts.Facilitated the transition of company effort from bid to execution.

Washington, Dc Metro Area

Also Section Chief, April 2005 - October 2008 - 3 yrs, 7 mos, Washington, DC Metro AreaRepresented DEA for all communications between the agency and Congress. Coordinated all communications with the Justice Department and other executive branch offices, as needed.Oversaw the preparation of all written Agency testimony for appropriations, oversight, and legislative hearings provided by DEA. DEA testified between 8 and 15 times every year. Provided agency review and comment on all Federal testimony affecting Agency equities - several hundred each year.Provided DEA senior executives with assessments and recommendations regarding all congressional activities, including reviews of proposed legislation, expected courses of congressional inquiry, and evaluations of congressional and public reactions to high-profile agency events. Represented DEA in inter-agency negotiations on legislation, congressional testimony, and congressional oversight inquiries.Worked with congressional offices, other executive branch agencies and departments, outside business and policy organizations, and subject matter experts to draft and pass the Combat Methamphetamine Act and the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act both of which gave DEA new legal tools and reduced related drug production and consumption. Conducted briefings with congressional staff on legislative, policy, national security, and oversight matters. Prepared subject matter experts, facilitated conversation, and ensured any action items were completed. Responded to over 700 congressional inquiries annually.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Researched, designed, and implemented programs internal and external to DEA that informed and educated the public regarding the dangers of drugs, available drug prevention resources and strategies, the consequences of drug trafficking, and the effectiveness of various drug treatment options.Established new partnerships with multiple non-profit interest groups (Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Partnership for a Drug Free America, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, etc.) to broaden the distribution of DEA information and expertise through their non-profit publications, allowing DEA information to reach new audiences with minimal Agency expense.Designed and launched a national Red Ribbon Patch program for Boy and Girl Scouts, reaching over 20,000 scouts in 2 years. Developed multiple requirements for scouts to accomplish to receive the patches, tracked participants, collected information about the activities, and worked with the scouting organizations to promote its adoption and use.Translated technical and scientific information about drug abuse, DEA regulatory authorities, and the science surrounding addiction for public consumption for multiple audiences. Worked with researchers, law enforcement, health care professionals, and others to prioritize research topics, identify and develop distribution channels for the information, ensure the information was understandable by the target audience.Built a new information management structure to ensure published information was consistent regardless of media, and to facilitate how the information was updated. Generally reduced approval time from months to weeks.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Coordinated all agency policy and programs related to public and congressional affairs for all DEA components. Supervised and directed the operations of 42 people divided into six sections, whose activities coordinated congressional and public affairs activities throughout DEA’s 226 domestic and 85 foreign offices. Also simultaneously supervised two of the six sections: Congressional Affairs and Demand Reduction.Coordinated all external official agency communications to ensure consistency with the Agency’s mission, including for notable events such as DEA’s National Drug Takeback Day program; congressional testimony; DEA’ Traveling Museum opening and closing; and responding to multiple oversight investigations and reports. Maintained a $1 million office budget, including reorganizing priority activities to accommodate and implement a sequestration-mandated 20 percent reduction in funds.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Advised, orally and in writing, Chairman Charles E. Grassley on legislative issues and various policy options relating to illicit drug trafficking discussed by Congress.Negotiated with other Congressional offices and interest groups on behalf of the Chairman’s legislative policy priorities to successfully advance the Chairman’s agenda.Expanded and coordinated communications with contacts interested in various policy priorities of the Chairman, and represented the Chairman in meetings with these contacts.Drafted policy memos, drafted and participated in negotiations on legislation, assisted in the research for Caucus hearings, including preparing background memos, questions, and statements for the Chairman.Represented and spoke on behalf of the Chairman at meetings with lobbyists, constituents, and other Congressional staff.Drafted correspondence for the Chairman to respond to constituent inquiries.Oversaw the establishment and maintenance of a Caucus computer network, contact database, and web site, including serving as the System Administrator for the Caucus.Recruited and supervised staff, interns, and law enforcement personnel detailed to the Caucus.

Washington, Dc

Led all Caucus legislative, oversight, and advocacy activities. Negotiated with other congressional offices and committees, Executive branch agencies, and interest groups to advance Chairman Grassley’s agenda. Represented the Chairman in meetings with constituents, policy advocacy organizations, and businesses interested in drug policy issues. Ensured the passage of legislative priorities, including passage of the Drug-Free Communities Act, authorization and funding for Plan Colombia, re-authorization of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and others.Expanded partnerships with non-profit, corporate, and advocacy organizations interested in multiple drug policy issues at the state, federal, and international level. Assisted the chairman in founding a State-wide, non-profit anti-drug coalition, who’s membership included businesses, non-profits, state agencies, religious leaders, educators, and labor advocates.Produced policy memos, legislation, speeches, oversight questions, correspondence, and other material used by the Chairman and the Caucus.Spoke publicly to non-profit organizations, policy institutes, lobbyists, constituents, and other congressional offices on drug policy and money laundering matters. Responded to questions, provided options and guidance, and represented the Senator in multiple public forums.Recruited, hired, evaluated, and supervised Caucus staff, interns, and law enforcement personnel detailed to the Caucus.

Masters In Public Affairs

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