The Legislative Frontier: Leadership and Policy on the Hill
Can you tell me about your career path that you’ve taken that’s led you to where you are now?
Between my two internships in Rep. Buddy Carter’s and Mike Johnson’s offices, I met too many amazing and driven people to count. Through all those connections, I landed a job with Rep. Drew Ferguson as a staff assistant. As I moved up in the office, I took over the healthcare policy portfolio and have dug into that space since then.
Which specific policy areas or legislative issues are you most passionate about, and how do you stay informed and engaged in those areas?
When I first came to the Hill, I had little interest in health policy. It took working for a self-described “broke country dentist” to understand how fulfilling that portfolio of work could be. My Chief of Staff, David Sours, had also worked for Rep. Phil Gingrey, an obstetrician/gynecologist, before coming to Congress. Between the Member and our Chief, my office fostered a considerable appreciation and respect for health policy’s impact on rural America. Outside of my office, the House Ways and Means Committee staff does an incredible job of keeping personal office staff in the loop regarding developments in the healthcare space.
Describe a challenging or rewarding project that significantly influenced your growth as a professional. How did you handle the challenge, and what did you learn from the experience?
One of the most rewarding projects I have worked on is Rep. Ferguson’s bill, the PASTEUR Act. This bill seeks to address the observable market failure within the pharmaceutical industry regarding new and novel antibiotics and antivirals. The work surrounding this bill has exposed me to some of the smartest and hardest-working people in healthcare policy. Because antimicrobial resistance impacts so many people and industries, learning how to reconcile all the different thoughts on tackling the issue has been a tribulation but a great experience.
In your role as Legislative Director, strong leadership is essential for keeping the team motivated and focused on the office’s agenda, especially when navigating numerous issues. Could you share some strategies or techniques you employ to inspire and motivate your team, ensuring that everyone remains committed to achieving the office’s objectives despite the challenges they may face?
I have always felt strongly that leadership by example is the foundation for whatever tactics are deployed to motivate and set expectations with people. On my boss’s desk sits an embossed quote: There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.
When I started in my office, the Legislative Director at the time, Allie White, I do not think I saw her once attach her name to any of the progress updates delivered to our boss. Even if she walked someone step-by-step through something and still had to edit the final product afterward, she would always credit another staffer. Her doing this allowed younger staff to take pride in their work and relish in their labor. That practice is something I try to remember each day, knowing how much motivation can be generated from it.
What do you believe sets Capitol Hill apart as a unique work environment, and how do you navigate its challenges in your everyday work?
One of the most compelling reasons to come to the Hill is the wide-open career path it offers. The number of issues and subjects you are exposed to in your day-to-day work is limitless. As a bonus, the range of people and personalities staff meet and work with is a blast and keeps your work week stimulating.
Leadership often involves guiding and mentoring others. Could you share a specific example of how you’ve supported the professional development of your team members, helping them grow in their roles and excel in their skill sets?
I have been blessed to have worked under some of the best mentors the Georgia Congressional delegation and beyond have seen. Between Chris Crawford (Carter), David Sours (Ferguson), Mary Dee Beal (KDCR), Ruth Ward (Johnson), Mary Christina Riley (Ed and Workforce), and Allie White (Walmart).
I somehow now find myself on the other side of a gauntlet of incredible minds and work ethic. The quantifiable impact on my professional growth simply from working and interacting with good-hearted and driven staffers is enough to force me to strive to be that same example in any small or large way I can in the office. Encouraging younger staff to make the small but still difficult choices every day is something that I was taught, and I will continue to do the same.
Word association, what is the first word that comes to mind for each of these?
Policy – Wonk
Networking – Work
Writing Skills – Rare
Working on the Hill – Young
Leadership Connect – People
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