Manager Office
Resume:
James Ivey Reaves
Del Valle. Texas 78617
**********@*****.***
Objective
My objective is to obtain a position where I will be able to use my public policy expertise and association management experience to promote my new employer’s agenda. Within this job, I will use my ability to grasp subjects, analyze the problems and find the best solutions to challenges and issues that may arise.
Overview of Qualifications and Career Highlights
~ Twenty-five years of experience serving in various capacities in state government and executive association management.
~ Expertise in a wide range of issues, including public safety, homeland security, healthcare insurance, telecommunications, rural economic development, career and technology education, agriculture and private property rights.
~ Raised over $400,000 for a political action committee.
~ Vast working knowledge of the legislative and appropriations process.
~ Management and supervision of employees in my role as Chief of Staff for a State Representative.
~ Managed and directed operations of the State Legislative Office for Texas Farm Bureau.
~ Extensive relationships with legislators, state agencies, and advocacy groups.
~ Former guest Editor for bi-monthly publications.
~ Helped defeat numerous pieces of legislation that would have had a negative economic impact on the Green Industry and agriculture.
Association Management Experience
State Legislative Director, Texas Farm Bureau ~ March 2016 – November 2018
Tasked with managing the state legislative office. Responsible for implementing and defending policy set forth by the grassroot efforts of the membership of the organization. Helped coordinate Farm Bureau conventions and events; as well as solidifying statewide and local elected officials to speak at events. Spoke to groups around the state to further the positive impact of agriculture to Texas and the country.
Director, Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, Texas Nursery & Landscape Association ~ March 2006-2016
Responsible for directing, assisting in the development of, and implementing overall association legislative and regulatory activity and involvement; contacting members of the Texas Legislature, State agencies and other Governmental organizations that impact the nursery/landscape industry in Texas; provided counsel and assistance to the local Association Regions with regard to local regulatory activities; worked to gain membership; gave input on our annual Nursery/Landscape Expo; former Executive Director of TNLA PAC and was in charge of raising funds for elected officials and candidates that support our industry.
Legislative Experience
Chief of Staff, State Representative Gene Seaman ~ January 2003-March 2006
Responsibilities included developing and overseeing the Representative’s legislative policy agenda in the following areas: insurance reform, medical malpractice reform, tort reform, worker’s compensation, school finance, agriculture and economic development. Within these issues, it was my responsibility to create talking points, bill analyses and research each issue thoroughly. Other duties included creating our policy message to the media and then distributing this information accordingly. Maintained open lines of communication with other legislative staff, members of the legislature, and other interested parties. Advised the Representative on actions to take regarding the flow of legislation through the House Calendars Committee and monitored the Economic Development and Insurance committees in which he served. I helped protect the interests of the Representative’s constituency.
Chief Committee Clerk, House Committee on Public Safety ~ January 1999-January 2003
Served as Chairman Bob Turner’s primary staff for all Public Safety issues, which included creating talking points and researching all legislation that came before the committee. Acted as liaison between citizens, public interest groups, law enforcement officials, the media, and other elected officials. Oversaw the daily management of the committee office, including supervision of committee staff, and establishment of procedures that governed the conduct of all House Committee on Public Safety hearings. Advised the Chairman as to legislation posted for weekly hearings. Conducted interim hearings on issues assigned by the Speaker of the House and authored interim reports in 2000 and 2002 acknowledging the results of interim hearings and suggesting possible legislative priorities in the area of public safety.
Political Experience
Campaign Manager, David Lengefeld Campaign ~ July 2002 - November 2002
Managed day to day operations of the campaign office and coordinated the recruitment of all volunteers and their activities. Reviewed and edited all direct mail and facilitated the campaign’s media strategy through research of Texas Statutes. Advised the candidate on radio and television ads. Served as spokesperson for the campaign and was the first point of contact for all inquiries into the campaign.
Campaign Manager, Bob Turner Re-Election Campaign ~ June - November 1998 and 2000 Acted as primary staff for Chairman Turner’s campaign for re-election to the Texas House of Representatives. Coordinated the candidate’s daily schedule and facilitated all “Get Out the Vote” efforts. Developed and implemented field organization and operations and spoke at meetings on behalf of the candidate regarding rural economic development, agriculture and the budget. Organized volunteers and coordinated volunteer opportunities. Assisted candidate with fund-raising efforts and served as liaison between candidate and local elected officials, citizens, and other interested parties.
Volunteer Work
Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo ~ BBQ Cook Off Team ~ 2002 – 2013
Helped create a team and recruited 50 people to participate in raising over $400,000 for a college scholarship fund.
KK125 ~ 2014 - 2015
Our cooking team raised over $100,000 for an ovarian cancer research program for a non-profit organization.
Awarded
From the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas (C.L.E.A.T.), I received their award for Efforts to improve the lives of peace officers and their families during the 77th Legislative Session.
From the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE), I received the 2014 Professional Excellence Award.
Education - 1997
The University of Texas – Bachelors of Arts – Government
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