Through the Noise

Steve Schwab serves as Executive Director of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, leading the Foundation organization, staff and programs. Prior to his service at the Foundation, Steve was head of external affairs for the National Cathedral, and served in three senior leadership roles in Rochester, NY as Vice President for Development at the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Deputy Chief of Staff to Rochester Mayor Robert J. Duffy, and head of corporate development and relations for Rochester Institute of Technology.

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, founded by Senator Elizabeth Dole in 2012, is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation's 5.5 million military caregivers – the spouses, family members, and friends who care for America's wounded, ill, or injured veterans and service members – through a comprehensive advocacy approach, working with leaders in the public, private, nonprofit, and faith communities to recognize military caregivers' service and promote their well-being.

Andrew Moore is the Executive Director of the National Agricultural Aviation Association and has been since 2002. He served as [N-Triple-A's] NAAA's Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs before that and continues to be NAAA's lobbyist in Washington, D.C., serving as the agricultural aviation industry's liaison to the federal government. Andrew has a background in government relations and agriculture. Founded in 1966, the National Agricultural Aviation Association supports the interests of small business owners and pilots licensed as professional commercial aerial applicators who use aircraft to enhance food, fiber and biofuel production, protect forestry and control health-threatening pests.

As senior vice president of government affairs for the Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA), Jenny Fordham is responsible for legislative and policy advocacy related to the competitive natural gas market. She specializes in creating strategic advocacy partnerships that broaden policymaker support for business-relevant positions.

NGSA represents the largest producers and marketers of natural gas in the United States and focuses on promoting a healthy, competitive marketplace for buyers and sellers of natural gas.

Carlos Guevara serves as Senior Policy Advisor for UnidosUS's Policy and Advocacy department. In this role, Carlos is responsible for conducting research, policy analysis, advocacy, and communications activities to advance effective and humane immigration policies.

UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization.

Jean Lee is the President and CEO of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) and prior to joining MCCA, Ms. Lee served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at JP Morgan Chase & Co. where she worked on consumer litigation and regulatory matters. Before joining JP Morgan Chase & Co. in 2011, Ms. Lee worked on litigation matters at a boutique litigation firm in New York City and started her career as a law clerk to the Honorable John J. Hughes, United States Magistrate Judge (retired), in the District of New Jersey.

MCCA is a national organization focused on hiring, promoting and retaining women and diverse attorneys by providing cutting-edge research, best practices, professional development and training, and through pipeline initiatives.

Katie Shepherd is the National Advocacy Counsel for the Immigration Justice Campaign at the American Immigration Council, where she focuses on legal advocacy and policy related to the asylum-seeking women and children detained in family detention centers around the country. Before joining the Council in August 2016, Katie was the Managing Attorney of the CARA Pro Bono Project in Dilley, Texas, where she managed a team of lawyers, advocates, and volunteers which provides legal services to asylum-seeking women and children detained in Dilley, Texas.

Jeffrey Shields, FASAE, CAE, has served as President and CEO of the National Business Officers Association (NBOA) since March 2010. Jeff, an active member of the American Society of Association Executives, is a member of the 2008 Class of ASAE Fellows (FASAE) and earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2002. He currently serves as a trustee for One Schoolhouse, an innovative online school offering supplemental education to independent schools and previously served as a trustee at Georgetown Day School in Washington, DC, where his daughter Samantha attends. He holds a BA from Shippensburg University and an MA from The Ohio State University.

NBOA is the premier national membership association serving the professional needs of business officers and business operations staff at PK-12 independent schools. The association has grown from 23 founding member schools in 1998 to over 1,350 US member schools, plus member schools in Mexico, Canada and 23 other countries around the globe during its 20-year history under Shields' leadership.

Ryan Conrad is CEO of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® (NVAR), an organization comprised of approximately 12,000 real estate professionals in the Washington, D.C. metro area. As CEO, Conrad oversees a 34-person staff in two locations, as well as a Realtor® school and store. He serves as publisher of NVAR's bi-monthly RE+VIEW magazine.

NVAR promises its members to "Take You Further" by providing a variety of services, including educational opportunities, professional standards enforcement, market statistics, legislative reviews, issues lobbying, multiple listing and lockbox services and more.

Behzad Rassuli is the SVP, Strategic Development, overseeing marketing and communications, membership, communities, market intelligence and data innovation at the Auto Care Association. Prior to joining Auto Care, he served in strategic roles at CARFAX and CEB, where he conducted market research and competitive intelligence to guide corporate strategy.

The Auto Care Association represents the entire supply chain of the automotive aftermarket, the size and scope of which covers over 500,000 manufacturers, distributors, retail and repair shops. Our members provide parts and services designed to make vehicles last longer and keep drivers safer.

Darrell K. Smith is President & Chief Executive Officer of the National Waste and Recycling Association. Since 2002, Darrell has been active in the public policy arena in Washington, DC. Previous to his current position in the waste industry, he represented the mining, petroleum and chemical industries. Darrell has a reputation of assisting heavy industry in the promotion of a positive, progressive image. Prior to his public policy career, Darrell worked in the environmental and safety compliance fields for a number of industries including hazardous waste, telecommunications and electronics. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. Darrell resides in Washington, DC.

The National Waste & Recycling Association is the trade association representing private-sector U.S. waste and recycling companies, as well as the manufacturers and service providers.