As the Policy and Programs Assistant for the Maryland Agriculture Associates, I serve clients including: the Maryland Grain Producers Association, Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board, Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts, Delaware Maryland Agribuisness Association, Mid-Atlantic Certified Crop Advisers, and Maryland Pork Producers. Duties include:- Identifying legislation of interest to my client organizations, tracking that legislation and preparing written and oral testimony to deliver to the committee of jurisdiction, and updating the members of the respective organizations on the status of legislation. - Monitoring the federal register for regulations of interest to my clients and preparing written comments for submission to EPA and USDA.- Assisting in the preparation and execution of Board meetings by preparing reports, contacting board members, distributing materials and taking notes during meetings.- Researching, drafting and editing informational brochures on topics such as FlexFuel E85 and Genetically Modified Organisms.- Attending coalition, work group and intergovernmental meetings to represent the appropriate organization. Then preparing and distributing meeting reports to board members.- Create and maintain social media sites for client organization by updating with photos, articles, and issues of interest.- Draft, edit and distribute press releases and informational articles.

As a graduate intern through the Maryland Municipal League, worked with the City of Bowie in the Communications and Planning Departments. Projects included: a social media strategy and metrics, creation of a community profile using Census data, a tree canopy study to identify hotspots to target for tree planting grants and, creating PSA's for emergency preparedness.

• Read, interpret and summarize legislation that is of interest to the members or impacts agriculture.• Attend hearings and provide memorandum summarizing the important information to the Director of Government Relations.• Prepare and deliver written and oral testimony at bill hearings.• Conduct in depth research on issues effecting agriculture that are being considered during this legislative session such as pesticides, hunting, licensing and hunting.

• Conduct case studies on the budgetary condition of state governments.• Gather graduate level research for my adviser's book, speeches and articles pertaining to budgetary theory, the role of unions, current political events, and elections.

• Resolved 50+ constituent cases by communicating with concerned citizens, contacting relevant agencies and offices, acting as an advocate for constituents to resolve their issues, following up with both constituents and agencies and documenting action in the Commence Database.• Conducted legislative research on 7 Vitale sponsored bills, facilitated their drafting and successfully solicited co-sponsors.• Managed the work of the Delegates Legislative Director by assigning tasks, acting as a medium for the Delegate, and following-up on assignments to assure completion.• Completed office procurement orders and kept track of the monthly finance and phone reports.• Drafted and edited 10+ press releases on important issues and events and sent them to the press list I compiled and managed.• Attended community civic meetings, home owner’s association meetings, award presentations and political events weekly on behalf of the Delegate.• Ensured the smooth operation of the office through daily monitoring of the email, phone, and calendar as well as organization of the office and receipt and drafting of correspondence.

• Aided in the resolution of 100+ constituent cases by working with the Chief of Staff to communicate with constituents and agencies.• Drafted 24 press releases on the Delegate’s primary sponsored bills detailing the purpose and implications of the bills as well as the status and hearing dates for submission to my superior.• Helped to acquire, prepare and organize witnesses to testify at bill hearings for the Delegate’s primary sponsored bills.• Testified on my own behalf before both House and Senate Committees on bills favorable to agriculture.• Created and maintained a database of 1,000+ constituents that contacted the Delegate’s office over the course of the year.• Compiled, edited and distributed the “End of Session Letter” summarizing the Delegate’s work throughout the session as well as other important outcomes to 1,000+constituents.• Managed the receipt and evaluation of 180+ scholarship applications and entered them into the MDCAPS system after notifying recipients of their awards.

• Attended bill hearings on a weekly basis and reported to the Chief of Staff with comprehensive summaries.• Assisted my superior in the drafting of 19 press releases on the Delegate’s primary sponsored bills detailing the purpose and implications of the bills as well as the status and hearing dates for submission to my superior.• Conducted legislative research on bills of interest to the Delegate and drafted policy memos for his review.• Drafted correspondence to constituents and agencies for submission and review by my superior.

• Managed the operations of the administration office by answering phones, organizing and sending mail, ordering office supplies, constructing newsletters, and binding informational pamphlets.