Lesli Gray Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc

• Assistant Regional Director for the FWS Southwest Region’s Office of Communications covering the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.• Leads 13-person team providing outreach, media relations, tribal relations, web and social media, congressional relations, internal communications and crisis communications. Provides direct outreach support for FWS regional resource programs.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Leads the FWS congressional and legislative affairs efforts for the four state Southwest Region encompassing Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Cultivates relationships with a broad and bi-partisan group of federal, state and local elected officials, media contacts and non-governmental organizations to achieve the agency’s organizational goals.• Craft and execute targeted communication and legislative strategies for the Department of the Interior and FWS on high-profile, controversial issues. Prepare various communication materials for meetings, hearings and special events such as talking points and responses to elected officials.• Develop and implement strategies and tools that enhance regional and field office congressional relationships including creating the first regional congressional strategy and the first training for regional leadership focused on working with Congress. • Represent the FWS as the first line of contact with congressional offices, local elected officials, community leaders, media, constituent groups and other partners. Establish and maintain solid working relationships with these groups.• Track, monitor and analyze legislation that may affect FWS programs or policies. Prepare summaries and recommended positions for program and regional leadership.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Managed the FWS’s national Congressional and Legislative Affairs Office including leading a 7-person staff and coordinating the congressional work of 8 regional offices to strategically address the legislative and policy priorities of the agency. • Developed and implemented legislative and communication strategies and budget priorities for FWS and the Department of Interior (DOI) in a rapidly changing legislative landscape.• Identified, tracked and responded to multiple complex legislative issues with competing deadlines and wide-ranging, diverse constituencies.• Analyzed array of legislation for senior DOI & FWS leadership. Recommended agency positions on legislation and identified opportunities to legislatively address and advance agency priorities. • Communicated regular legislative updates to internal/external audiences, prepared talking points and testimony for senior leadership and hearing witnesses.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Executed CLA’s strategic operating plan in support of the office. Coordinated development of legislative priorities and positions for the FWS. Supervised junior legislative specialists and CLA interns. Developed testimony and background materials for hearings and briefings. Represented DOI and FWS at meetings with federal agencies, Members of Congress and staff and outside organizations.

Arlington, Va

Developed, managed, and oversaw corporate, foundation and individual relationships for international TNC programs with support staff of two. Developed and implemented marketing strategy with outside organizations. Spearheaded redesign of fulfillment and outreach materials. Developed and managed budgets.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Spearheaded legislative efforts on public and private lands issues, including public lands management and federal appropriations. Led four-person team tasked with developing and implementing a legislative and media program.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Prepared congressional testimony, drafted legislation, and coordinated internal and interagency positions on legislation and regulations affecting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Coordinated clearance of testimony, legislative proposals, and reports on legislative policy. Served as a liaison with DOI, other federal agencies, Congress, and outside organizations on issues of importance to the FWS.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Handled legislative initiatives and oversight issues for the Committee Chairman. Drafted legislation, organized hearings, monitored legislation, responded to constituent inquiries, and prepared floor statements, speeches, and Committee reports. Served as a liaison for the Committee with other congressional staff, federal agencies, and outside groups.**Committee disbanded in 1995 issues transferred toHouse Natural Resources Committee

Women’S Campaign School

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Business/Marketing

Master Of Arts (Ma), Legislative Affairs