Forest Cotten Email & Phone Number

Albany, New York Area

Albany, New York Area

Communications, Marketing, Fundraising and Advocacy for DRNY which provides free legal and advocacy services to individuals with disabilities across New York State.

The CLDC is the leading proponent for economic development projects that champion the progressive needs of Catskill. It's a cooperative effort of local private and public entities whose mission is to revitalize our community through grants and loans.

Albany, New York Area

Develop strong community support for the agency mission and foster positive internal communications with members, families and people receiving services. Provide strategic leadership in promotion of the agency. Press relations and external communications.

Hudson Valley, Ny

Conducted most effective advocacy campaign NYS has ever seenHeld the largest indoor rally ever at State of the StateMaking sure the energy stays focused on banning fracking in New YorkExposing the misinformation and obfuscation of the gas and oil industry• Develop localized grassroots campaign plan in New York• Outreach to local organizations and elected officials and other grass-tops leaders• Lead strategy sessions• Participate in Press Relations, TV & newsprint interviews.

Greene is a county of 50000 residents, with over a $100 million annual budget. There are over 600 employees in 7 Unions across 32 Departments. We provide oversight over each Department and Union. Oversee the litigation, contracts & policies of the county. I issue periodic updates, reports and press releases. Through diligent research and tenacious investigation, I and my colleagues have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars; prevented needless waste; raised the bar on contract review and qualification; exposed political corruption; brought daylight and order to a body with over 100 years of secrecy and backroom deals. Committee Membership: Education, Health, Public Safety and Human Services.

Sd 46

- Raised over $.25 million dollars in 2 weeks- Won 3-way election- Organized grassroots field campaign- Established direct mail campaign

Hudson, Ny

Provided direct assistance to a member of Congress in his regional office. Addressed constituent concerns in public meetings and in regional office. Drafted briefs, speeches, & letters to constituents on the Congressman’s behalf. Introduced Congressman at assemblies. Planned district meetings.

As chief lobbyist for a statewide association of 200 agencies serving developmentally disabled individuals, I collaborated with legislators, central staff, and agency staff on budgetary and other major policy decisions on various issues, such as Medicaid funding. I developed the legislative programs; analyzed the State & Federal Budgets; .coordinated our annual lobby day and statewide media campaigns; produced weekly reports on current state and federal issues; prepared and presented State & Federal Public Hearing testimony; organized statewide and regional conferences; and traveled across the state providing legislative outreach.

I served over 6000 constituents, with over a $5 Million annual budget. I had direct management and oversight of 70 employees across 9 departments & 3 unions. We secured over $6 Million in grants. I oversaw litigation, contracts & policies; improved the inter-governmental cooperation; created savings from efficiencies and cooperative contracting.

Albany, New York Area

The CDCCVR is a compilation of law enforcement agencies, victims services and local organizations whose goal is to facilitate coordination and cooperation between all agencies and services, and provide direct support to service organizations. They provide training and conferences in NYS on relevant victim services. We also established the NYS Crime Victims Memorial on the Empire State Plaza in 1996. The CDCCVR includes the FBI, US Attorney, NYS Police, County Sheriffs, County DAs, all City PDs, NYS DOCS, NYS Probation, CVB, and more.

I served as the chief policy advisor. I met with all lobbyists, agency staff and constituents. I represented the Assemblyman in Albany and the District at hearings and public meetings. I researched, drafted, amended, and negotiated all legislation; administered community grants; supervised interns; prepared and oversaw press releases, newsletters, and correspondence.