Jim Nikolai Email & Phone Number

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Built Synchrony’s state government affairs program • Advocate and lobby for Synchrony's public policy priorities in all 50 states with governors, state lawmakers, agencies and local government officials.• Retain and oversee lobbying consultants in multiple jurisdictions• Advise and consult with company executives on legislation and strategy. • Communicate company initiatives with strategic partners.• Build and maintain coalitions with industry peers, company partners, and… Show more • Built Synchrony’s state government affairs program • Advocate and lobby for Synchrony's public policy priorities in all 50 states with governors, state lawmakers, agencies and local government officials.• Retain and oversee lobbying consultants in multiple jurisdictions• Advise and consult with company executives on legislation and strategy. • Communicate company initiatives with strategic partners.• Build and maintain coalitions with industry peers, company partners, and other allies to advance priorities. • Engage trade associations and industry partners to ensure Synchrony’s priorities are well-represented.• Communications Pillar Leader for Synchrony's Enabled+ Network - Advance company initiatives to continue making Synchrony an inclusive workplace for all employees, regardless of ability,• Support engagement initiatives across the U.S. by serving as an event panelist, hosting employee town hall events, and supporting civic activities.• Served as Engagement and Inclusion Leader for Synchrony's St. Paul Hub to engage employees in the Twin Cities, and to build and preserve Synchrony's company culture. Show less

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

▪ Advocated and lobbied for company public policy priorities across 12 states in the Midwest, Mountain and Southeast regions▪ Engaged legislators, governors, state agencies, local government officials and political staff on legislation impacting the company and its customers▪ Oversaw and implemented the company’s employee grassroots engagement program to deepen partnerships with federal and state elected officials. Partnered with company leaders to have more than 200 employees… Show more ▪ Advocated and lobbied for company public policy priorities across 12 states in the Midwest, Mountain and Southeast regions▪ Engaged legislators, governors, state agencies, local government officials and political staff on legislation impacting the company and its customers▪ Oversaw and implemented the company’s employee grassroots engagement program to deepen partnerships with federal and state elected officials. Partnered with company leaders to have more than 200 employees participate in grassroots events to engage elected officials in more than 20 states▪ Represented U.S. Bank at political events and promoted company initiatives with policy influencers▪ Partnered with business lines and managed trade associations to evaluate legislation, developed positions and execute advocacy strategies. Show less

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

▪ Monitored federal and state regulatory trends to forecast potential impacts on U.S. Bank products▪ Provided strategic guidance to senior management to adjust product and service offerings to meet regulatory requirements on consumer loan and deposit products▪ Developed customer and executive communications, regulatory comment letters, and inquiry responses to advocacy groups

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

▪ Advocated and lobbied for the company’s public policy priorities in nine western states▪ Engaged legislators, governors, state agencies, local government officials and political staff on legislation impacting the company and its customers▪ Represented U.S. Bank at political events and promoted company initiatives with policy influencers▪ Partnered with business lines and managed trade associations to evaluate legislation, develop positions and execute advocacy strategies

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

▪ Coordinated legislative strategies with trade associations and company business lines▪ Wrote legislative amendments, committee testimony and policy letters to communicate U.S. Bank’s positions on state legislation▪ Led grassroots programs including “Bank Day at the Capitol” in multiple states and executive fly-ins to Washington, DC▪ Member of 2011 Dynamic Dozen, U.S. Bank’s leadership development program▪ Administered the “Talk To Us” Employee Survey for the Legal Department… Show more ▪ Coordinated legislative strategies with trade associations and company business lines▪ Wrote legislative amendments, committee testimony and policy letters to communicate U.S. Bank’s positions on state legislation▪ Led grassroots programs including “Bank Day at the Capitol” in multiple states and executive fly-ins to Washington, DC▪ Member of 2011 Dynamic Dozen, U.S. Bank’s leadership development program▪ Administered the “Talk To Us” Employee Survey for the Legal Department, met with employee subgroups and made recommendations to senior leadership to improve the workplace environment▪ Managed relationships with trade associations, vendors, and other business partners▪ Led employee engagement events such as “Get Out The Vote,” “Pizza and Politics,” and more Show less

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

▪Coordinated legislative strategy with trade associations, business lines and senior management ▪ Advocated the company’s legislative positions to state lawmakers▪ Led grassroots initiatives including “Bank Day at the Capitol”▪ Hosted elected officials at company facilities▪ Managed U.S. Bancorp’s political action committees, ensured compliance with federal and state campaign finance laws, advised on strategic political contributions, supported the PAC Board of Directors… Show more ▪Coordinated legislative strategy with trade associations, business lines and senior management ▪ Advocated the company’s legislative positions to state lawmakers▪ Led grassroots initiatives including “Bank Day at the Capitol”▪ Hosted elected officials at company facilities▪ Managed U.S. Bancorp’s political action committees, ensured compliance with federal and state campaign finance laws, advised on strategic political contributions, supported the PAC Board of Directors, managed the PAC budget▪ Led annual enrollment campaign, which resulted in increased contributions every year▪ Prepared semiannual report of political contributions and lobbying expenditures posted on corporate website, as required by the company Board of Directors Show less

Minneapolis, Mn

- Taught course titled "Advocacy in Public Policy"- Co-Taught "National Policy Making" course in Washington, DC

- Researched, monitored and analyzed media coverage of members of the Minnesota House of Representatives- Briefed candidates on different newspaper and radio outlets in each legislative district, and made recommendations for utilizing those outlets

- Reviewed press clippings- Worked on grassroots initiatives and "Get Out The Vote"

- Monitored media coverage of Congressman Luther - Responded to constituent inquiries and complaints- Supported the field office staff

M.A., Public Policy And Leadership

Policy Fellow, Public Affairs

B.A., Political Science

Activities and Societies: Senior Class Senator - All College Council