Navigating Through Divided Government and 2024 Election

Description

With elections fast approaching, control of the House of Representatives, the Senate and White House is on the line. This session will review how NECA has navigated through a divided 118th Congress to advance issues important to NECA contractors. Attendees will understand NECA’s focus heading into the 2024 elections and beyond. 

Speakers

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  Marco Giamberardino

  NECA

  Marco Giamberardino is Vice President, Government and Public Affairs for the  National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). He supervises numerous program areas, including advocacy, political fundraising, communications, marketing, and ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR magazine.

  Marco joined NECA in 2012 as Executive Director, Government Affairs, where he shaped the association’s legislative, regulatory, and political strategy advocating for the industry’s key priority issues in Washington, D.C.

  Marco has been an active trade association profession and advocacy expert for over 30 years. Prior to joining NECA, he served as Senior Director, Government Affairs, for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Before that, he was the Director of Advocacy for the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). He is widely regarded as a policy expert in infrastructure investment, tax policy, and federal procurement.

  Marco earned his Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from The State University of New York at Stony Brook and his Masters of Public Administration from The George Washington University.  Since 2018 he been recognized every year by The Hill newspaper for being one of Washington “top lobbyists” for associations.

• 

  Hadlea Bender

  NECA

  Hadlea Bender is the Manager of Political Affairs for the National Electrical Contractors Association. She is responsible for NECA’s political fundraising and grassroots advocacy.

  Prior to joining NECA in 2019, Hadlea interned on Capitol Hill for Congressman John Carter (R-TX).

  Hadlea earned her Bachelor’s degree in History from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.

• 

  James Payne

  NECA

  James Payne is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, and a graduate of Louisiana State University, where he studied political communications and interned in the offices of Sen. John Kennedy, Sen. Bull Cassidy and Rep. David Kustoff. Before joining the NECA Government Affairs team, James served as a Legislative Assistant in Energy and Commerce Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ personal office. Prior to joining the Chairwoman, James served as Finance Director on former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s successful congressional campaign in MT-01. James began his career as a political fundraising associate, where he raised money for 16 members of Congress in both the House and Senate.