Jason Thurman, Mba, Pmp Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

United States

I provide expert advice on government programs and policies, using both verbal and written communication to address key issues of public and congressional interest.I oversee critical liaison operations for national security-related programs and develop strategic relationships with Members of Congress and their staff. By collaborating with cross-functional teams, I help align senior executives with congressional leaders, identifying opportunities for strategic engagement and ensuring that organizational priorities are effectively represented in legislative efforts.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

I was honored to receive the DEA’s "Administrator’s Award" in August 2022 for my contributions to federal drug law enforcement. As the DEA’s lead legislative expert, I played a key role in the Executive and Legislative Branch Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking, established by the 2020 NDAA. I also served on the DEA’s Presidential Transition Team, educating incoming Biden Administration appointees on regulatory and legislative processes. Additionally, I created and led the "Field to the Hill" program, which engaged senior leaders with policymakers with congressional offices nationwide. In my role, I oversaw all DEA congressional staff and law enforcement liaisons, collaborating with Congress, state governments, and law enforcement to provide technical assistance on over 300 bills. I worked to improve DEA’s relationship with the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and provided strategic advice and policy counsel to senior officials. I also led daily briefings for the DEA Administrator and Chief of Staff on legislative activities and spearheaded advocacy for mission-critical programs. Throughout my tenure, I fostered a collaborative team environment, achieving a 100% retention rate in a dynamic, fast-paced setting and strengthening the DEA’s legislative impact.

Arlington, Virginia

At the Department of Justice (DOJ), I successfully lobbied for the agency’s highest legislative priority, leveraging key relationships with congressional members and committee staff. I worked closely with Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) to pass the Extending Temporary Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act, a vital step in combating the opioid crisis. As DOJ’s Law Enforcement Liaison on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Majority Staff, I developed oversight strategies, guided senior officials on public policy efforts, and navigated complex congressional and state inquiries.Managing a large policy portfolio, I helped reduce negative legislation by over 50% through collaboration with internal teams to align priorities. I also educated senior field executives on legislative and regulatory processes under the Controlled Substances Act. I drafted materials for high-level meetings and maintained key relationships with government and congressional stakeholders, liaising daily to clarify impactful legislation.

Arlington, Virginia

As one of the leader's of the DEA’s National Demand Reduction Program, I led drug education and prevention initiatives aimed at reducing the illicit drug market. My focus was on empowering communities through strategic advocacy and outreach to prevent drug misuse. I delivered over 130 presentations to federal and state stakeholders, including collaborating with the Utah Speaker of the House and State Attorney General to secure appropriations for public health organizations addressing the rise in synthetic opioid deaths.I expanded the reach of DEA’s “DEA 360” advocacy campaign by over 120%, strengthening its impact nationwide. I built partnerships with both government and non-profit organizations, driving support for the program. Additionally, I educated advocacy groups and the public on legislative and regulatory processes under the Controlled Substances Act. My work, which included creating educational materials on key issues, has contributed to raising awareness and building a strong network of support for the DEA’s mission to reduce drug-related harm and enhance public safety.

As a trusted advisor within the Office of the Commissioner, I provided strategic guidance on impactful legislation and reputation management initiatives, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals. I produced reports on regulatory and legislative priorities, particularly in the food and pharmaceutical industries, to support strategic planning. My role involved recommending congressional approaches to convey mission objectives and collaborating with internal teams to address complex challenges while maintaining strong relationships with Members of Congress, trade associations, and senior government officials.I also developed policies and regulations aimed at mitigating risks to the domestic and international food supply and coordinated with cross-functional teams on key projects and legislative initiatives. By leveraging strong communication skills, I built and maintained effective relationships with government and industry stakeholders, ensuring that priorities were aligned and critical goals were achieved.

I was honored to be the first non-lawyer selected by senior leadership to serve as the Division’s Acting Ombudsman, where I managed all congressional and legislative activities related to tobacco control policies and regulations for the FDA. As one of the agency’s top subject matter experts on tobacco regulation, I played a key role in shaping FDA’s new approach to regulating the tobacco industry and made critical policy recommendations to support this transition.I briefed both internal and external stakeholders on FDA policies and regulations, educating advocacy groups and the public on the legislative and regulatory processes under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act. Additionally, I drafted communication materials, including press releases, letters, and memos, to effectively convey the organization’s policies and regulatory efforts.

I provided strategic policy advice on a range of issues by analyzing regulatory and legislative trends, utilizing data insights to inform decision-making. Additionally, I developed and maintained legislative databases to track and analyze proposed bills, ensuring that key legislative developments were effectively monitored and addressed.