Serve as Heartland Dental’s lead government affairs representative supporting early and late-stage policy and advocacy needs before the federal government in Washington, DC and 40 state governments. Develop, implement, and execute the company’s comprehensive advocacy strategy in alignment with the company’s mission and goals. Establish and maintain strong relationships with executives, legislators, regulators and staff in federal and state government. Help internal stakeholders understand, react, and plan for an ever-changing external environment and evolving legislative and regulatory landscape. Work collaboratively and within cross-functional teams on issues of key importance to the company. Identify opportunities to partner and work with aligned organizations on policy objectives (serve as Heartland’s lead representative to the DSO industry’s largest trade association – the Association of Dental Support Organizations). Proven record of successful policy advocacy victories at the federal and state levels of government. Major victories include getting dental offices reopened for all services after states shut down dental to essential services only at the outset of COVID, passing licensure portability legislation in numerous states, preventing the passage of legislation that could have prohibited or restricted DSOs from operating in multiple states, and getting more than a dozen supported doctors and hygienists appointed to state dental boards

Co-founder and President with an entrepreneurial mindset of one of America’s fastest growing specialty barbecue food and tool brands with nationally recognized consumer product lines that include BBQ Sauce, Seasonings, Bacon Jerky, and BBQ Supplies (Grill Tools, Grill Brushes, and Grill Covers). Head Pitmaster of the Pork Barrel BBQ Competition BBQ Team, recognized as one of the most successful competition BBQ teams in America. Participant in the most prestigious BBQ contests in the world including the American Royal Open & Invitational, Memphis in May, The Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue Competition and the Sam's Club World Championship. Named by Food & Wine Magazine as one of America’s best BBQ Pitmasters and Grill Geniuses.

Served as the American Investment Council’s primary liaison between private equity firms and their portfolio companies, leading the Council’s Portfolio Company Initiative, a public affairs and advocacy program that mobilized CEOs of private equity backed companies to engage Members of Congress in Washington, DC and around the country. Represented the advocacy needs of more than 100 portfolio companies in a diverse array of industries, including healthcare, consumer goods, technology, and manufacturing, before Congress and the Administration. Served as the Assistant Treasurer of the AICPAC.

Managed the Heritage Foundation’s Leadership for America (LFA) initiatives related to foreign policy, national security and law and order. Established LFA policy priorities and measurable goals for each Initiative. Prepared and managed LFA budgets for each initiative. Worked closely with the Communications and Marketing Departments to develop strategies to communicate policy priorities to support the passage of each Initiatives policy goals. Collaborated with External Relations and Government Relations Departments to identify individuals and organizations to partner with to advance each Initiatives policy goals. Served as a spokesperson for the LFA initiatives at internal and external events. Worked with the Development Department to articulate the LFA initiatives vision to donors.

Analyzed policy issues related to foreign policy and national security with an emphasis on military readiness, procurement, defense spending, and the federal budget. Wrote policy speeches and research papers for Heritage Foundation Distinguished Fellow, Senator James M. Talent. Co-authored articles with Senator Talent on issues related to foreign policy and national security including, Sowing the Wind: The Decay of American Power and its Consequences in the Spring 2009 issue of the Regents Journal of Law and Public Policy. Conducted and attended policy meetings with Senate, House, Administrative, and Agency staff. Assisted in fundraising and development efforts.

Served as a professor in the Hauptmann School of Public Affairs online program where I taught Public Affairs Concepts and Theory, a graduate level course. Created and administered course syllabus. Conducted online lectures and directed debate and discussion amongst students. Graded course papers and exams.

Served as a key legislative advisor to United States Senator James M. Talent developing policy positions for the Senator and drafting and shepherding legislation through the legislative process on issues including the federal budget, federal appropriations, banking and finance, children and families, education, housing and urban development, small business, and welfare. Drafted key pieces of legislation in the 108th and 109th Congress including the Compassion and Personal Responsibility Act of 2003 (S.5), the Personal Responsibility, Work and family Promotion Act of 2005 (S. 105), and the Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2006 (S. 3535). Penned policy speeches, Senate floor and Committee statements, and hearing testimony for Senator Talent. Advised the Senator on votes taking place in Committee and on the Senate floor. Conducted and attended policy meetings and briefings with Senate, House, Administration, and Agency staff. Conducted constituent meetings with state and local government officials and policy leaders from citizen, community and business groups on important issues pending before Congress. Managed the daily duties of a Legislative Correspondent who supported my legislative portfolio.

Administered Council oversight over the District’s Department of Employment Services, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission, Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, and the District’s federal grant program.Oversaw meetings and hearings on issues of concern to the Committee related to employment, job training, welfare, and transportation. Drafted legislation on apprenticeship, budget support and other areas in the Committee’s purview. Drafted annual budgets for District agencies under the Committee’s jurisdiction in Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003 that totaled nearly $175,000,000 annually. Oversaw Committee efforts related to transportation and infrastructure in the District of Columbia in the days and months following the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon. Managed Committee staff.