Supporting an organization's strategic plan and business objectives in the public policy arena is Andrea's passion. Using her deep knowledge and experience in Maine public policy, she consistently helps organizations thwart government initiatives that would negatively impact their business objectives, and adopt policies that give them strategic advantage.
Effective government relations includes a broad set of skills including strategy development, issue identification, legislative language review and analysis, communications, strategic relationships with stakeholders and policy makers, marshalling grass roots support and negotiations. In the course of her career has employed these skills repeatedly to obtain favorable results for her clients.
Andrea's sensible, proactive and direct approach is refreshing and empowering in the complex and sometimes perplexing public policy arena. Whether it is connection to a legal expert within the Pierce Atwood team of lawyers or to a key policy maker who needs to be educated about the critical implications of their proposals, Andrea connects her clients with the right people to get the job done. Andrea operates with grace and tact, and in a manner that enhances the credibility and reputation of her clients.
Fresh out of law school, Andrea was trained as a litigator at Pierce Atwood, although during legislative sessions she was drawn to the political arena to represent clients in Augusta. After a few years, she left Pierce Atwood and pursued her own lobbying consulting business, representing numerous clients.
Her major client, the former Champion International Paper Company, then hired her in-house where she spent over 10 years employing the full array of public affairs tools including internal communications and media, community and government relations. In the mid-90s, she was a leader in the statewide forestry referenda campaigns. She has also served as a volunteer in several legislative races.
From 2004 to early 2011, Andrea was a Vice President for a not-for-profit, Maine healthcare company, leading its re-branding, communication, and legislative relations and policy activities. Andrea is delighted to have come full circle and returned to Pierce Atwood as a partner in the Governmental Relations practice. She appreciates being able to engage legal experts on any legislative matter, knowing that together she and they can provide the highest quality governmental relations services.
Andrea is also a Certified Healthcare Insurance Executive and has a Certificate of Professional Achievement from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Recent Experience
- Lobbied the Maine Congressional delegation on portions of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
- Re-branded a multi-state healthcare organization
- Lobbied to restore full funding to the Maine Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement program
Professional Activities
Member, Commission on the Future of Maine, 1989
Member, Commission on the Future of Maine's Paper Industry, 1995
Civic Activities
Board Member, Maine Community Foundation, 2009 - current
Board Member, Susan F. Curtis Foundation, 2003 – 2010
Founding Board Member, Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education 1990 - 1995