SHARON HODGE
Silver Spring,MD
Summary
Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Strong interpersonal skills and exceptional expertise with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and video conferencing. 22 years of expertise in the field of public policy, having successfully passed many significant laws that have saved lives, and actively looking for work in the field.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Director Policy and Government Relations
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
06.2021 - 09.2023
- Developed strong, bipartisan relationships with members of Congress and their senior staff, congressional committees, and relevant federal agencies, in order to clearly communicate organization's priorities
- Lead in developing and implementing strategic approach to advancing organization federal/state policy agenda.
- Managed over 100 telephone calls and emails inquiries daily from congressional, federal, national and state leaders.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Monitored, tracked, and analyzed proposed legislation and regulations\
- Authored testimonies and talking points for senior executives and other subject matter experts
- Testified before Congress
- Lobbied for policy change and improvement for veteran's programs based on organization legislative/policy agenda
- Authored legislative alerts, policy agendas, letters, o blogs, pinion pieces, and communications for over 900,00 members.
- Stayed up to date on relevant political developments and trends
- Conducted research and analysis on variety of policy issues
- Served as resource for media inquiries
- Prepared annual departments budgets
- Prepared departments payroll
- Supervised and mentored staff of three professional staffers
- Established departmental performance goals and provided feedback for underperforming areas.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Worked well in team setting, providing support and guidance.
Deputy Director, Government Relations
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
01.2001 - 06.2021
- Collaborate with leadership, 900,00 chapter members to develop strong relationships with key members of congress through coordinated in-district and D.C
- Lobbied for policy change and improvement of veteran's programs based on organization legislative/policy agenda
- Represented organizations at stakeholder meetings, congressional briefings, and hearings
- Serve as key leader on interdepartmental teams, and collaboratively work with other departments, particularly Communications, Development, Marketing, Network, and state offices, to advance organization's strategic goals
- Organized advocacy/training/workshops, seminars, congressional receptions, legislative breakfasts, and Capitol Hill Advocacy Fly-In days
- Prepared and distributed periodic federal government relations updates for internal audiences and maintained in-house legislative targeting and tracking system
- Filed organizations quarterly LD lobbying and year end LD203 Contribution Reports with Clerk of t House in compliance with Lobby Disclosure Act
- Responded to legislative and regulatory inquiries from stakeholders, members of congress and leadership
- Created and edited legislative correspondences.
Grassroots Specialist, Government Relations
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
01.1999 - 12.2000
- Served as primary point of contact for Legislative Action network
- Composed and generated online legislative action alerts, and other communications to over 2,000 grassroots advocates
- Drafted congressional and stakeholder correspondences
- Monitored legislation and congressional schedules utilizing web-based programs
- Attended and monitored congressional hearings and stakeholder meetings
- Produced and mailed monthly grassroots newsletter to over 900,00 members.
- Served as point of contact for over 100 daily legislative inquiries, from membership, congressional staffers and federal partners.
- Tracked legislation utilizing various internet tracking systems.
Legislative Assistant, Government Relations
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
04.1995 - 12.1998
- Provided administrative and legislative support for Director and two Associate Directors
- Conducted legislative research on wide range of topics.
- Handled sensitive information discreetly while maintaining strict confidentiality protocols for all involved parties.
- Managed daily office operations, ensuring efficient workflow and prioritizing tasks for optimal results.
- Revised and finalized letters, briefs, and memos.
- Organized events and town halls, engaging community members in critical discussions about policy initiatives. for over 25 board, 95 state council presidents and 12 committee chairs on subject matter policy issues.
- Improved office efficiency by implementing streamlined systems for tracking legislative progress and constituent communications.
- Assisted other office administrators by answering phones, returning email messages and creating distribution lists.
- Organized and planned meetings with high-level political appointees and elected officials.
- Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail.
Education
Associate Degree - General Studies
Montgomery County Community College, MD
Takoma Park, MD 2015.09 - 2017.05
Skills
- Problem-Solving
- Decision-Making
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Excellent Communication
- Calm Under Pressure
- Active Listening
- Remote Office Availability
- Multitasking
- Research
- MS Office
- Attention to Detail
- Organization
Accomplishments
- Successfully lobbied congress for the enactment of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT Act) P.L. 117-168, and The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act P.L. 116-23
- Successfully organized grassroots advocacy campaign to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs appropriation budget in FY02 and FY03 for veterans' health care, and enactment f The Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016, P.L. 114-315.·
- Established nationwide grassroots online advocacy network and effectively recruited over five hundred legislative coordinators for grassroots network.
- Successfully lobbied Congress for enactment of Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act. P.L. 107-95.
- Created nationwide legislative coordinators newsletter.
- Organized nationwide voter campaign.
- Organized annual congressional reception.
- Established organizations coat drive for homeless veterans
Professional Civic Volunteer Associations
- Commissioner, Montgomery County Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs
- Washington, DC VA Medical Center, Winterhaven Homeless Stand Down
- Volunteer Salvation Army Angel Tree/Toys for Tots
- Volunteer Safeway Feast for Sharing
- Volunteer Safeway Barbecue Battle
- Volunteer U.S. Open Flushing Meadows, NYC
- Volunteer American Film Institute Annual Silver Doc
- Volunteer Easter Seals, Respite Program for military kids.
- Volunteer Silver Spring Civic Center and Veterans Plaza
- Volunteer Cherry Blossom Parade
- Volunteer Drink the District
- Volunteer Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Awards
- 2023 honorably recognized, in 118 Congressional Record, House of Representative, Vol, 169, No 188 by Rep. Mark Takano (CA-D-39th)
- 2023 Certification of Appreciation, Wash., DC VAMC Winterhaven
- 2019 Certification of Appreciation, Wash., DC VAMC Winterhaven
- 2018 Inducted in Hill Vets 100
- 2015 Commendation Medal, Vietnam Veterans of America
- 2014 Fellowship Award, Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America
- 2008 Outstanding Service Award, Veteran of Modern Warfare
- 2007 Certificate of Completion, Veterans Service Officer
- 2007 Certificate of Appreciation, Vietnam Veterans of America, Woman Vets Committee
- 2006 Certificate of Appreciation, Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America
- 2005 Certificate of Appreciation, Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America
- 2000 Certificate of Appreciation, Associate of Vietnam Veterans of America
- 2000 Certificate of Appreciation, Wash., D.C., VA Medical Center
- 1999 Certificate of Appreciations, Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America
- 1998 Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award
- 1997 Government Affairs Special Recognition Award, Vietnam Veterans of America
References
REFERENCES FURNISHED UPON REQUEST
Timeline
Director Policy and Government Relations
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
06.2021 - 09.2023
Associate Degree - General Studies
Montgomery County Community College, MD
2015.09 - 2017.05
Deputy Director, Government Relations
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
01.2001 - 06.2021
Grassroots Specialist, Government Relations
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
01.1999 - 12.2000
Legislative Assistant, Government Relations
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
04.1995 - 12.1998
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