James Specker, Mba Mis Email & Phone Number

Skokie, Il, Us

Evanston, Illinois

- Guide chapter volunteers, staff, the Board of Directors and other national leaders to engender a positive GR climate that has an impact on local, state and federal legislative and regulatory processes specific to the practice of massage therapy- Represent and manage outside relationships with organizations, coalitions, government entities, committees and public officials especially on issues of strategic importance.- Monitor, analyze and regularly report on all federal and state-level legislation that might impact the practice of massage therapy and it correlating effect on the association.- Conduct ongoing analysis of industry relations and ensure that the results are incorporated into the ATMA planning process. Provide recommendations and work with other departments, to ensure AMTA is represented in the industry and complementary and alternative medicine.- Work with volunteer leadership to develop strategic alliances, as appropriate, within the massage and bodywork community or with organizations whose legislative goals are similar to those of the AMTA- Prioritize states based on the status of massage therapy licensure/regulation, ensure that AMTA Chapter volunteers have government relations information relevant to their state, and work with them to develop strategies that can achieve outcomes in the best interest for the profession.- Monitor, analyze and regularly reports on current issues that impact massage therapy practice including; healthcare, employer relations and complementary & alternative medicine. - Identify and foster relationships with key industry stakeholders that deliver value to the membership through programs, products and services. - Lead annual planning activities for the government relations department. This includes the development of strategies, action plans, message vehicles, budget, measures and policies/procedures.

Greater Chicago Area

Programmatic:- Provide leadership, program development, and management for federal and national state policy activities, development and initiatives- In conjunction with the CEO, AADE Board of Directors and relevant committees provide leadership in developing program, organizational, and financial plans for the federal and state efforts. Identify program components and strategies to achieve success- Build and maintain relationships with key organizations and coalitions.- Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with organizational policies- Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the fieldManagement & Supervision:- Direct and manage AADE grassroots program through the SGC network, key contacts and patient/industry/corporate relationships- Manage and direct the social media and web-based federal and state legislative programs- Responsible for the hiring and supervision of the advocacy manager and recruitment of relevant consultants, contract lobbyists and volunteers- Conduct annual staff performance review of advocacy managerBudget & Finance:- In conjunction with the CEO, Vice President of External Relations and Foundation and the Research and Education Grant Manager identify and pursue opportunities for maintaining and/or expanding the advocacy funding base through grants, donations, and other funding sources- Develop an annual budget; ensure that the program operates within budget guidelinesCommunications:- In conjunction with the Director of Marketing and Communications and consistent with AADEs communication standards, disseminate department and policy updates/reports and publicize department activities- Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with AADEs industry and organizational partners’ and advocacy/policy organizations- Serve as an AADE media spokesperson on relevant policy issues

Greater Chicago Area

- Manage AADEs state legislative affairs- Represent AADE at state legislative hearings and events- Maintain working relationships with state legislative coordinators and local advocates - Develop and present in-state advocacy trainings - Liaison to local, state and national diabetes advocacy groups and coalitions- Create, Direct and Manage AADEs state legislative issues- Develop and manage advocacy operations budgets- Develop and manage the AADE state grassroots programs and efforts- Monitor relevant federal and state legislation - Manage, write, edit and publish AADEs e-Advocacy national newsletter- Write and distribute advocacy materials for AADEs legislative efforts- Manage the social media and web-based federal/state legislative programs - Develop/manage technical aspects for AADEs web based grassroots advocacy training tools

- Coordinate AADEs state and federal legislative affairs- Develop policies for state and federal legislative efforts- Manage the national state legislative coordinator (SLC) network- Direct and coordinate communication with the SLCs- Develop and recruit the “key contacts” network for grassroots advocacy campaign - Represent AADE advocacy to industry and corporate partners- Monitor and distribute Federal and State legislative information- Develop on-line grassroots training tools- Manage the Cap Wiz® on-line advocacy network- Manage and edit AADEs national e-Advocacy, Advice and Announcements newsletter- Write and distribute advocacy materials for grassroots efforts- Manage the web-based legislative tools for AADEs grassroots efforts- Manage AADEs grassroots efforts through the key contact and SLCs networks- Manage and develop the grassroots and advocacy programs budgets

- Facilitated effective and timely communication between executive director, leadership team and agency staff- Worked with the executive director to generate reports, projects, proposals and correspondence that conformed to the agencies communications, publications and marketing handbook- Managed administrative process for the executive director and board of directors- Managed annual executive staff retreat and annual all staff meeting- Developed staff recognition programs- Managed payroll process for all members of the executive team and assisted in the executive budget planning process- Managed donor database and assisted the resource and development department with editing and updating information on website- Edited, co-wrote, designed and published bi-monthly employee newsletter

- Supervised a 14-person team in a high volume call/processing center to ensure that quality and professional services were provided to parents and providers- Processed bi-weekly payroll for assigned staff - Wrote monthly performance evaluations for assigned team- Monitored and entered monthly payments for licensed day care providers in excess of $300,000 per month- Worked in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Human Services and internal program integrity unit to ensure all parents and providers were receiving funds legally and to investigate fraudulent practices where/when applicable- Provided onsite technical assistance to Cook County day care center directors and their staff- Implemented quality control measurements on assigned staff to ensure effective, efficient services within set timelines and procedures- Prepared written reports on assigned group members’ caseloads and activities- Worked in conjunction with human resources department in regards to recruitment, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions and other personnel-related activities- Cross-trained in all team member functions to serve as back-up if needed - Represented Illinois Action for Children as program expert during the parent appeals process with the Illinois Department of Human Services (State and Local offices) and contracted legal mediators

1st Battalion 6th Marine Regiment (1993 - 1995)2nd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment (1995 - 1997)Medals and Awards- Honorable Service Lapel Pin- National Defense Service Medal- Sea Service Deployment Ribbon - Ocean Crossing Acknowledgement - Joint Unit Meritorious Mast- Humanitarian Service Medal - Armed Forces Service Medal - North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal - Individual Meritorious Mast-Constanta, Romania 1996Military Education- Marine Corps Institute Personal Finance correspondence course- Marine Corps Institute Advanced Land Navigation correspondence course- Marine Corps Institute Advanced Leadership training

Bachelor Of Arts, English

Mis, Masters In Management Of Information Systems

Mba, Management

Certificate Program, Management And Leadeship

Management training course sponsored by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and Facilitated by the Illinois Network.