Exeutive Diretor

LORNA D. O’HARA, Certified Association Executive (CAE)

*****@****.***

** ******* ****, ********, ** 732-***-****

SUMMARY

Dependable, detail-oriented government affairs and public relations specialist with 25+ years of experience in political development, government affairs, marketing and association management. Effective in promoting, educating, and representing industry policies and objectives. Well organized with a solid record of achievement in setting and reaching goals as well as planning and implementing conferences and fundraising events. Holds frequent interface with board members, senior staff from organizations, media, state legislators across the nation, Congress, and the New Jersey Legislature. In 2018 The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) announced that Lorna O'Hara earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE®) designation. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Princeton Public Affairs Group (PPAG) Trenton, NJ

Associate, Government Affairs Specialist January 2005- Present

Princeton Public Affairs Group, the country’s largest state public affairs firm, is a multifaceted organization specializing in government relations and communications in New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

General firm responsibilities include:

Represent the clients’ interests at the state level and nationally

Lead firm’s sister company Princeton Association Management Professionals as Vice President

Plan and implement clients’ national and regional conferences

Represent clients at stakeholder meetings and legislative hearings

Support client interaction with elected officials

Manage firm and clients marketing, communications, public and media relations

Manage firm and clients’ social media

Monitor state and national legislation on behalf of clients

Prepare reports on all relevant legislation, regulations, and administrative action for clients

Manage clients’ Political Action Committees

Plan and execute PPAG hosted fundraisers

Manage firm’s research efforts

Coordinate coverage of state legislature’s committee hearings

Federal and State grassroots/coalition building and activation management

Manage annual client exhibits and conferences and trade shows

Manage firm’s internship program

Princeton Association Management Professionals (PAMP) Trenton, NJ

Vice President November 2014 - Present

Princeton Association Management Professionals is part of Princeton Public Affairs Group’s circle of companies. PAMP is a uniquely qualified team of association management professionals working together to prioritize and advance public policy goals and become the guardian of any associations’ public persona by providing all facets of association management.

The Balloon Council (Client) Trenton, NJ

Executive Director October 2013- Present Communications Director January 2005 –October 2013

The Balloon Council (TBC), a national trade organization of balloon manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers was formed in 1990 to educate legislators, regulators and consumers about foil and latex balloons and the proper handling of them. TBC is comprised of multiple supporting organizations and has more than 1,200 members in its "Responsible Balloon Retailers" program. Since its inception, TBC has successfully defeated balloon restrictions in more than a dozen states multiple times.

Responsibilities include:

Multi-State Management

Multi-Firm Management

Plan and implement annual industry meeting

Manage Smart Balloons Practices Campaign

Manage Responsible Balloon Retailer Network

Lobby and educate State Legislatures

Monitor local ordinances as well as state and national legislation

Manage International Balloon Month public relations

American Council of Engineering Companies Director, Political Development

Washington, DC

June 2002-March 2004

Responsible for one million dollar political fundraising campaign. Responsible for the planning and implementation of all Political Action Committee (PAC) fundraising events. Executed fundraisers for congressional candidates in coordination with candidate's staff and professional fundraising firms. Responsibilities included planning and implementation of three day Public Affairs Conference, the cornerstone of ACEC's grassroots efforts, with over 500 attendees. Educated members on political action and promoted political advocacy.

Selected Accomplishments:

Instrumental in record breaking fundraising year for ACEC/PAC

Raised most money in Convention history through special events

Planned most successful Consulting Congress Day with thirty states represented and over two hundred congressional offices visited

Capital One Financial Corporation Manager, Political Outreach Programs

Falls Church, VA Sept. 1998 -Nov. 2001

Responsible for the management of Capital One Associate's Political Action Committee and for the development and implementation of the company's government relations programs.

Selected Accomplishments:

Originated Capital One’s Government Relations Department and launched Capital One’s Political Action Committee

Continual thirty to forty percent increase in Political Action Committee totals each election cycle

Conducted thirty to forty political education forums, "citizenship meeting", per quarter at various Capital One sites. Coordinated political education campaign for employees

Selected to serve on Capital One's Volunteer Organization Board in 2000. Nominated Board Development

Committee Chair for 2001

Northern VA Volunteer Organization Board Accomplishments:

64% of associates volunteered; 93% satisfaction rate of our community programs by associates

National Points of Light Award for our Corporate Volunteer Programs

Over 3,300 volunteer hours donated in 2000 to Northern Virginia community partner organizations

The National Restaurant Association Washington, DC

Manager, Political Outreach Programs Jan. 1997 - May 1998

Responsible for the management, planning and implementation of all Government Affairs special events, conferences and community outreach programs. Generated appropriate communications, invitations and direct mail solicitation material on behalf of The National Restaurant Association's Board of Directors.

Selected Accomplishments:

Implemented annual 3 day Public Affairs Conference

Planned Executive Advisory Group annual meeting for America's top corporate restaurants

Raised $130,000 for the NRA's Save American Free Enterprise Fund

Planned and participated in The House that Congress Built for Habitat for Humanity

Manager, Political Development Jan. 1996 – Jan. 1997

Political Action Committee

Developed and maintained ongoing responsibilities for the nationwide PAC Team. Wrote and designed up to ten direct mail pieces; and up to 50 targeted mailings per cycle. Researched voting records of potential recipients of NRA-PAC funds. Met with hundreds of congressional candidates to evaluate their campaigns and NRA's participation in them. Assisted Director of Political Affairs in Board-level committee responsibilities and in coordinating special projects and events.

Selected Accomplishments:

Instrumental in helping NRA-PAC reach its record breaking fundraising cycle in '95 - '96 raising close to $1 million

Worked on special project with the National Republican Congressional Committee to coordinate and host their hospitality suite at the 1996 National Republican Convention

Coordinated and hosted an evening with the Blue Dog Democrats at the 1996 Democratic National Convention

Political Affairs Coordinator

June 1994 - Jan. 1996

Responsible for preparing Political Action Committees monthly Federal Election Commission Report.

Maintained accounting records receipts and disbursements, for both the PAC and the Political Education Committee (corporate funds) and conducted appropriate follow-up on each donation. Organized monthly political education events with members of Congress for members of the association. Raised funds for PAC by organizing events.

Intern Jan. 1994 – June 1994

Worked on various time sensitive, as well as, long term projects for the association, my maturity allowed me to comprehend as well as synthesize difficult issues whereby I was able to conduct outreach on behalf of the association and build a nationwide specific coalition in opposition to relevant proposed legislation. Promoted three times from within.

The Bank of Osaka New York, NY

Assistant, Cultural Liaison Sep.1991– Mar.1993

EDUCATION

American University Semester Abroad Program, 1990

Washington, DC; China

Wittenberg University B.A., East Asian Studies, 1990

Springfield, OH

LEADERSHIP/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Commissioner, Monmouth Beach, Monmouth County Regional Health Commission

Treasurer, Monmouth County Regional Women's Political Caucus

Member, Monmouth Beach Planning and Zoning Board

Certified Association Executive (CAE)

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