Katie Toskey Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Arlington, Va

Developed and enhanced relationships for USO leadership with Congress, the White House, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, governors and state National Guards. Served in a lead role for annual legislative efforts on Capitol Hill including the planning and execution of a successful congressional lobbying campaign that increased an annual grant the USO receives through legislation that funds the U.S. Department of Defense from $20 million to $24 million (20% increase) commencing in FY 2021. Awarded the USO President’s Award, the organization’s highest form of recognition, for this achievement.Managed the bipartisan and bicameral USO Congressional Caucus including over 200 Members of Congress. Worked closely with the offices of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. House and Senate Armed Services Committees who serve as Co-Chairs of the Caucus. Crafted and delivered strategic communications regarding USO programs and initiatives. Planned and oversaw all aspects of annual Caucus activities including educational briefings and USO care package assembly service projects.Successfully identified and executed strategic activities designed to increase the USO’s brand awareness among key stakeholders. Examples include: USO participation at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll and Holiday Open House; a military spouse connection with special guest First Lady of the United States Jill Biden; a military spouse care package initiative with special guest Second Lady of the United States Karen Pence; the USO’s first-ever engagement with governors, governors’ spouses and staff and state adjutants general at the National Governors Association Winter Meeting; and the USO Service Member of the Year Awards Ceremony supported and attended by Members of Congress and senior civilian and military leadership from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Washington, Dc

Served as a senior representative in the Office of Federal Relations.Staffed and represented the Governor at National Governors Association and Republican Governors Association meetings and events. Acted as a liaison for the Governor, Cabinet Directors and other senior administration officials with Congress and executive branch agencies. Supported the Governor as Co-Chair of the National Governors Association Resource Center for State Cybersecurity. Assisted with the writing and publication of white papers highlighting best cybersecurity practices. Facilitated meetings with federal stakeholders and industry officials to advocate for Michigan’s priorities at the national level. Served as a member of the Michigan Cyber Executive Team and provided state agency personnel with guidance on federal cybersecurity policy.Served as the Governor’s primary liaison with the Michigan Congressional Delegation to provide crisis communications during natural disasters. Provided real-time updates on response and recovery efforts as well as responses to questions and concerns from federal elected officials. Prepared written testimony and staffed the Commander of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division for a congressional hearing entitled “The Future of FEMA: Stakeholder Recommendations for the Next Administrator” in February 2017. Served as a member of the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team charged with implementing and overseeing a cohesive and comprehensive statewide response to public health concerns posed by PFAS contamination. Led proactive engagement with the Michigan Congressional Delegation and executive branch agencies including the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to influence federal policy and funding to favorably impact state efforts to investigate sources of contamination and protect public drinking water.

Washington, Dc

Served as a senior representative in the Office of Federal Relations.Staffed and represented the Governor at National Governors Association and Republican Governors Association meetings and events. Acted as a liaison for the Governor, Cabinet Secretaries and other senior administration officials with Congress and executive branch agencies. Assisted with preparation for and participation in congressional hearings including writing testimony.Managed a federal policy portfolio that included economic development, education, health and human services, energy, environment, agriculture, transportation, immigration and emergency management.Supported the Governor as Chair of the Outer Continental Shelf Governors Coalition. Organized and executed annual meetings for members of the Coalition in conjunction with the National Governors Association Winter Meeting in Washington. Facilitated outreach to the North Carolina Congressional Delegation and other federal stakeholders, including senior officials at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, on topics related to exploration, leasing and development of offshore energy resources as well as the Five-Year Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2017-2022.Supported the Governor and North Carolina Emergency Management personnel for five weeks at the State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh following Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Acted as a primary liaison for the Governor with the North Carolina Congressional Delegation, Association of County Commissioners and League of Municipalities to provide real-time updates on hurricane response and recovery efforts as well as responses to questions and concerns from federal, state and local elected officials. Helped coordinate hurricane response efforts by federal agencies and the American Red Cross. Assisted with the creation, submission and advocacy of a federal funding request to Congress to assist North Carolina with Hurricane Matthew recovery.