I learned the value of relationships during my time on Capitol Hill. As a Legislative Director for a newly elected congressman, I focused on building a great team with a eye on efficiency and communication. We worked with a diverse array of constituents, including farmers, educators, military officers and small business owners on their many priorities and help them feel heard as citizens. I coordinated with the House leadership offices and House committee offices, lobbyists and special interest groups to successfully manage these stakeholder relationships to ensure the needs of constituents and the complicated politics of Washington aligned with positive results. As a result of my focus on relationships and collaboration, I accomplished several objectives in a brief time span: - established the legislative department for newly elected Congressman Schrader- pulled from my established relationships with congressional leadership offices to quickly put Congressman Schrader in a great position to carry out his campaign promises and legislative priorities- used my contacts and knowledge of Capitol Hill policies to establish the congressman on the Agriculture Committee, Budget Committee, and secured a subcommittee chairmanship, which is unusual for a freshman.

I started my career as an intern in the office of Congresssman Alan Boyd. Through perseverance and hard work, I was quickly promoted to Staff Assistant, and ended my tenure as his Legislative Director. I learned the value of relationships and how they impact the flow of legislation, from conception of a bill to getting it passed into law. I saw the importance of creating a robust network to enable my representative to serve on influential committees. My accomplishments included the following:- secured funding for three military bases in the 2nd congressional district, Florida State University, University of Florida, health centers in Bay and Gadsden Counties, police departments and other local authorities tasked with the education, health, safety and welfare of the congressman’s constituents- maintained the portfolio of issues between myself and my staff of six, including education, financial services, appropriations, budget, agriculture and social issues- maintained the careful balance of relationships between constituents, other congressional offices that we caucused with, congressional leadership offices including Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer, lobbyists and interest groups on each issue before Congress