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Federal Advocacy Committee

Whether we are all hands on deck or in maintenance mode, the Committee and our policy advisor network are the centerpieces of NSDA's national advocacy. The Committee's virtual monthly meetings offer NSDA Members direct engagement and a voice in the direction of the our policy engagement.

Each meeting consists of discussing the latest news in Washington DC, and developments on policies of special districts’ interest and interface with the NSDA Advocacy Team. During Committee meetings, members may consider positions on federal legislation and authorize advocacy action on topics of concern for special districts. Does this intrigue you? Think about joining the Association!

NSDA Members may access full Committee information including governing documents and agendas, by logging into the NSDA Portal.

NSDA Federal Advocacy Committee Members and Representatives

Designated Committee Members 

Primary Committee Members are expected to participate in legislative discussions and represent the seated association with one vote.

  • California – Neil McCormick, CEO, California Special Districts Association
  • Colorado – [Chair] Ann Terry, Executive Director, Special Districts Association of Colorado
  • Florida – David Ramba, Executive Director, Florida Association of Special Districts, and Angela Weeks-Samenie
  • Oregon - [Vice-Chair] Frank Stratton, Executive Director, Special Districts Association of Oregon
  • South Carolina – Brian Flynn, CEO, South Carolina Association of Special Purpose Districts
  • Texas - Johnathan Roach, Chair, Texas Special Districts Coalition
  • Utah – LeGrand Bitter, Executive Director, Utah Association of Special Districts
  • Washington  - Matthew Ellsworth,  Executive Director, Association of Public Hopsital Districts
  • Washignton -  Clark Halvorson, Executive Director, Association of Sewer and Water Districts
  • Washignton - Liz Anderson, Executive Director, Association of Publc Utlity Districts
  • Wyoming – Craig Haslam, President, Wyoming Association of Special Districts
Secondary Members 

Secondary Committee Members are encouraged to participate in legislative discussions and represent the seated association in the event the Primary Committee Member is absent. 

  • California – Kyle Packham, Chief Advocacy & External Affairs Officer, California Special Districts Association & Mustafa Hessabi, Chief Counsel
  • Colorado – Michael Valdez, Director of Policy, Special Districts Association of Colorado
  • Florida – Chief Jim Millican, President, Florida Association of Special Districts
  • Oregon – Jennifer Quisenberry, Director of Member Services, Special Districts Association of Oregon
  • South Carolina – Chief Charles P. Jolley, South Carolina Association of Special Purpose Districts & Amber Barnes, SVP Government Relations/State, South Carolina Association of Special Purpose Districts
  • Utah – Heather Anderson, Director of Government Relations, Utah Association of Special Districts
  • Wyoming – Lindsey Woodward, Secretary, Wyoming Association of Special Districts