Experience
Government Relations Specialist, Senior Chief Counsel & Congressional Advisor
With decades of work experience, Smith Advocacy Group has developed the competence and skills to represent organizations in high-stake matters, critical to their economic success and regulatory compliance.
As a Government relations specialist-lobbyist, congressional advisor and counsel, and agency Government relations specialist and staff, we have encountered a broad spectrum of business, legislative, and regulatory challenges. This experience sharpened the expertise to successfully represent organizations on significant platforms critical to each organization's operational and fiscal viability.
For Many Decades as a Government Relations Specialist-Lobbyist
Represented diverse industry and public sector clients — consisting of hundreds of domestic and international companies and organizations in complex and challenging legislative and regulatory matters.
Consistently produced valuable operational and fiscal results for diverse private and public sector entities through sophisticated government strategies, development, and execution to achieve client objectives.
Provided strategic advice and direction to clients at the CEO/COO level and as needed for third-party corporate partners, including a disciplined communication plan for government and public audiences, crisis and incident response advice, and lobbying and ethics compliance.
Implemented strategy consistently in contentious and political environments resulting in favorable outcomes through the passage of legislation or granting of regulatory or administrative relief.
Significant Successful Accomplishments
Seven-year effort to provide relief to the recreational boating industry on workers' compensation issues, overcoming objections from organized labor and elected officials.
Three-year effort to provide relief to the national oilseed industry on adverse pollution compliance requirements, overcoming objections from EPA, administration, and congressional interests.
Over 20 years, conducted multiple efforts to provide relief to individual vessel owners from adverse vessel registration requirements, overcoming objections from domestic special interests, competitor vessel owners, and congressional interests.
Maintained key bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress and key congressional staff through service as a campaign volunteer and official congressional portrait committee chair.
Accomplished communicator on legislative and regulatory affairs, including policy development, supporting documents, and oral presentations — frequent subject matter expert presenter for industry conferences on shipping, maritime, and environmental issues.
Successfully advocated for amendments to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to reflect effective response methods and criteria, modernizing the Act's framework to align with proven environmental response practices.
Clientele Interests Include
Decades of Experience as Senior Chief Counsel and Congressional Advisor
Advised Members of Congress on key policy and strategy decisions for legislative objectives and oversight of regulatory agencies.
Drafted and negotiated elements of key legislation with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and key administration officials — leading to significant shipping, maritime, oceanographic, and environmental legislation including the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the modern codification of the shipping laws in Title 46 US Code, and establishment of an environmental restoration program for the Coast Guard.
Communicated directly with constituents, government agencies, and industry interest groups at conferences and public meetings.
Frequently traveled with Members of Congress for field hearings and meetings to respond to constituent, industry, and public concerns.
Led a highly skilled staff of professionals with broad subject matter oversight in demanding and politically charged environments.
Served as a congressional advisor for a US delegation to the International Maritime Organization.
Years of Service as a Civilian Federal Agency Attorney-Advisor & Military Officer
Advised senior political appointees (general counsel and assistant secretary level) and senior executive service officials from cabinet-level departments and the Office of Management and Budget on a full spectrum of legislative and administrative responsibilities. Developed and advocated for complete legislative packages including statutory amendments and supporting explanatory documents. Oversaw congressional correspondence and record management.
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