(b) (6) VIRGINIA HURT JOHNSON ~ (b) (6) Mobile: (b) (b) (6) (6) QUALIFICATIONS Highly accomplished and seasoned attorney with a successful 30-year career encompassing legislative affairs, public policy, and senior management experience in corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors, including senior levels of U.S. Congress, Executive Branch, Judicial Branch and state government. Critical thinker and superior negotiator adept at leveraging political insight and professional networks to drive organizational collaboration. Articulate and persuasive communicator; interact easily with senior federal and state government officials, Members of Congress, business and military leaders, clients, consultants, and staff. Innovative problem solver with a proven leadership record. Motivational manager with a strong work ethic. Experienced with small business incorporation, development and administration. Published author. Superior public speaking skills. (b) (6) Security Clearance. Knowledgeable of French and Russian languages. Additional areas of expertise include: • • • • Public and Legislative Affairs Government Ethics Investigations and Research Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts • • • Office Management Nonprofit Administration Tax, Federal Employment and Environmental Law • • • • Strategic Planning Military Affairs Communications Federal Campaign Law PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR PAT McCRORY, Washington, DC Director of Federal Relations • • • • • • February 2014 – December 2016 Hired to create and supervise new North Carolina Governor’s Office in Washington, DC. Served as primary liaison to support and advance Governor’s legislative and policy priorities with the North Carolina congressional delegation, congressional leadership, leadership in other governors’ offices and the federal executive branch. Accompanied Governor to National Governors Association and Republican Governors Association meetings nationwide. Regularly met with Governor’s Cabinet Secretaries, senior staff from all state agencies and wide variety of constituents from NC in conjunction with their visits to Capitol Hill. Supported Governor’s communications to include correspondence, public appearances and congressional testimony. Participated in weekly Cabinet meetings. Extensive interaction with constituents. Served as Governor’s primary liaison for the National Governors Association, the Republican Governors Public Policy Committee, the Executive Committee of the National Governors Association and his work as Chair of the Outer Continental Shelf Governors Coalition. Supervised federal policy portfolio that included public safety and crime, emergency management, parks and public land, public health, energy, environment, cultural resources, taxation, commerce and trade, military/veterans affairs, agriculture, immigration. education and transportation. Supported Governor and North Carolina Emergency Management personnel for five weeks at State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh following Hurricane Matthew in October 2016. Helped lead state’s interaction during hurricane response and recovery efforts with multiple stakeholders, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, US Department of Transportation, US Department of Agriculture, NC National Guard, US Army Corps of Engineers and the American Red Cross. VIRGINIA HURT JOHNSON • • • • Had primary responsibility for creation and submission of federal funding request to Congress in November 2016 for more than $1 billion to assist North Carolina with Hurricane Matthew recovery needs. Recommended and supervised an initiative to implement federal grants management program for North Carolina. Created concept for and supervised three annual state-federal policy forums hosted by Governor and Cabinet Secretaries to discuss their legislative priorities with senior staff from the NC congressional delegation. Created concept for and supervised four statewide events for high school students to promote attendance at the national service academies. VIRGINIA H. JOHNSON, LLC, Washington, DC Counsel/Consultant • • January 2013- February 2014 Led East Coast business development initiatives for two well-established and successful renewable energy companies. Served as General Counsel to American Gaming Association. U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC Chief of Staff, U.S. Representative Dan Benishek, MD (MI-1) May 2012 – January 2013 • Hired mid-term to reorganize and supervise office of vulnerable Freshman Member in nationally targeted race. • Effectively managed staff of 20 personnel in 5 offices with an annual budget of $1.4 million in a district encompassing nearly half of the geographic territory of Michigan. Organized and led implementation of successful strategic legislative strategies, communications, outreach and constituent services. • Designed strategic constituent outreach and aggressive communications program to expand Member’s profile in the congressional district and in Washington. Implemented highly effective earned media strategy. Led and implemented new mail response program to eliminate within two weeks significant backlog of 14,000 unanswered constituent letters and fax inquiries. Organized professional legislative correspondence operation resulting in significant improvement in both quality and response time to constituent inquiries. • Hired and worked with new district director and new legislative director to introduce and employ best practices throughout district offices including introduction of new performance metrics resulting in highly improved and efficient constituent service and effective public appearances of Member and staff. • Designed and implemented three district-wide Service Academy Days for high school students. Coordinated with leaders of United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy and United States Air Force Academy to bring current cadets, midshipmen and Academy alumni to congressional district to promote this unique educational opportunity for area students. VIRGINIA HURT JOHNSON U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, Washington, DC Defense Security Service, Senior Advisor, Office of Legislative Affairs (Defense Intelligence Senior Leader) September 2009 – May 2012 • Hired to create, organize and supervise new Office of Legislative Affairs at Defense Security Service (DSS), the agency within Department of Defense that oversees the Defense Industrial Base. DSS has primary oversight of 13,000 private defense contractors nationwide that require access to classified Defense information, including oversight of industrial facility clearances, personnel security clearances, facility cyber security and Foreign Ownership Control and Influence (FOCI) mitigation. • Led and supervised agency’s strategic congressional outreach efforts in Washington and in congressional districts nationwide. Accompanied agency leadership to hearings and briefings with Senate and House Members and congressional committee staff. Created and designed security training program for congressional district staff. Worked with DSS representatives in regional offices to host congressional staff at events highlighting local defense issues. • Maintained steady contact with majority and minority Senate and House Members and committee staff on authorizing (defense and intelligence) and appropriations committees as well as senior contacts at other federal agencies. • Monitored relevant legislation that impacted agency authorization and appropriations on daily basis. • Worked with outside consultants and senior leadership team to introduce and integrate new performance metrics throughout the agency. • Oversaw, coordinated and managed all incoming congressional communications from Congress and coordinated appropriate responses. Communications included formal congressional inquiries, requests for data to support budget requests, informal communications with congressional Members and committee/personal office staff, and inquiries from district offices regarding constituent requests for assistance with facility and personnel security clearances. Also had primary oversight of drafting annual reports directed by Congress. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, Washington, DC Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Office of Legislative Affairs (Senior Executive Service) • • • • • • • July 2006 – April 2009 Political appointee during Bush Administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense to Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary Robert Gates. Retained by Obama Administration to assist with transition for several months in 2009. Supervised more than 20 special assistants and senior active duty military officers in fast-paced environment. Served as primary liaison for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the U.S. House of Representatives to manage daily senior level communication and action between U.S. House and Department of Defense. Organized and attended meetings between the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretaries of Defense and leadership of U.S. House of Representatives on a wide variety of defense-related issues. Supervised incoming communications from Congress; drafted and/or coordinated appropriate responses. Developed and maintained database tracking relevant legislation, reports, congressional inquiries and deadlines. Served as Department representative on trip with then-Republican Leader John Boehner and congressional delegation on American Energy Tour to visit DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Alaska’s North Slope. VIRGINIA HURT JOHNSON AMERICAN RED CROSS, National Headquarters, Washington, DC December 2004 – July 2006 Senior Director, Government Affairs (2006) • • • • • Acted as primary liaison between the Red Cross, the Board of Governors, and the US Congress. Advanced legislative initiatives on Capitol Hill by collaborating with more than 800 chapters, policy stakeholders, Members of Congress and staffers, and Red Cross senior leadership and Board Members. Organized the first Red Cross Capitol Hill Day event. Conceptualized and implemented an outdoor pavilion on Capitol grounds highlighting volunteer opportunities, emergency response vehicles, and bloodmobiles. Created a partnership with DC Central Kitchen to recreate a disaster feeding area on US Capitol grounds; served more than 1,000 hot meals to Capitol Hill Day volunteers and visitors. Secured former Majority Leader Bill Frist and Senator Patrick Leahy as event speakers. Executive Director, Office of the Chairman (2004 – 2005) • • • • • • • • • Supervised the Chairman’s Office and related activities during the 2004 Asian Tsunami and 2005 Hurricane Katrina. Planned and administered trips and accompanied major donors and Board Members to regions impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Oversaw integration and coordination between offices of the Chairman and President of the Red Cross. Worked as liaison between Board of Governors and senior leadership staff in reorganizing structure of National Headquarters and chapters, redefining mission of organization and downsizing workforce to eliminate duplication of effort and enhance efficient operations. Acted as the Chairman’s primary liaison with individual members of the Board of Governors and more than 800 Red Cross Chapters and blood centers across the United States; managed a team of seven employees. Supported all Board of Governors meetings; organized and directed Chairman’s participation. Planned and directed the Chairman’s activities and speeches during National Convention in San Francisco. Directed communication, community outreach and fundraising initiatives involving the Chairman. Supported outreach efforts and coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland. Assisted the Chairman in creating, organizing, and implementing fundraising activities among major donors to support disaster recovery efforts. Contributed to the recognition of Magen David Adom (Israeli Red Cross) by international societies. VIRGINIA HURT JOHNSON U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 13TH Congressional District of North Carolina Candidate • • • • • • Managed a full-time campaign organization and related offices in two major cities including four full-time employees and more than 100 core volunteers in seven counties across North Carolina. Directed campaign incorporation, payroll, real estate and equipment leases, and tax administration. Led fundraising activities in North Carolina, New York, and Washington, DC, including telephone solicitations, direct mail campaigns, speaking engagements, media appearances, and issue debates. Created collateral materials and implemented distribution tactics throughout the district. Hosted fundraising event with former Speaker of the House – historic first visit to North Carolina by any sitting Speaker of the U.S. House. Won primary election and was the Republican candidate in the general election. U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC Counsel to the Chairman, Committee on Ethics (2001 – 2004) • • 2004 February 1996 – November 2004 Oversaw the supervision, direction, and workflow of seven non-partisan staff attorneys and investigators. Acted as primary lead and held full responsibility for adjudication hearing of Representative James Traficant and the related Floor proceedings that led to his expulsion from the U.S. House in 2003. Counsel, Committee on Armed Services (2001 – 2004) • • • • Oversaw $4 billion budget for Department of Defense environmental programs including early renewable energy initiatives and waste management. Managed oversight and administration of civilian personnel programs. Organized committee briefings and hearings. Drafted legislation creating national security exemptions for the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Protection Act, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Organized fact-finding travel and field hearings for Chairman and Committee Members. Assisted bipartisan delegation of Members at regular meetings of NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Counsel, Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Parks, Recreation and Public Lands (2001) • • Led hearing supporting the authorization of a federal memorial for former President John Adams; resulted in the passage of authorizing legislation in both the U.S. House and Senate. Secured testimony and organized hearing for Pulitzer Prize winning author David McCullough. Scheduled dozens of hearings and oversaw Floor activity leading to the passage of bills related to National Heritage Areas, historic preservation and conservation, and the recreational use of public lands working with relevant authorities including the Wilderness Act, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, American Battlefield Protection Act and National Trails System Act. Counsel, Committee on Ethics (1996 – 2001) • • Appointed to serve as primary lead to oversee separate investigations of sitting Speaker of the House and sitting full committee Chairman. Served as nonpartisan staff attorney providing counsel to Members of Congress and congressional staff on House Gift Rule, Code of Official Conduct, and Financial Disclosure. VIRGINIA HURT JOHNSON SHAW, BRANSFORD & O’ROURKE, Washington, DC Attorney • • Represented individual and corporate clients on transactions, employment, nonprofit, estate planning, and tax issues before federal and state courts, the Merit Systems Protection Board, Foreign Service Grievance Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Served as a regular guest host on the program Fed Talk broadcast weekly on WUST-AM. Wrote monthly columns on legal issues for Retirement Life magazine. GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, Washington, DC Adjunct Professor • 1987 – 1995 1989 - 1997 Developed and taught law courses on legal research and writing, commercial and contractual relations, estate planning, and trusts. UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO, San Diego, California Adjunct Professor • Developed and taught course on legal research and writing. U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURT, Middle District, North Carolina Law Clerk • • 1991 1985 – 1986 Researched federal bankruptcy and other legal issues for Judge James B. Wolfe, Jr. Drafted legal opinions and court orders; acted as an intermediary between the judge and attorneys. EDUCATION WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, Winston-Salem, North Carolina Juris Doctor DUKE UNIVERSITY, Durham, North Carolina Bachelor of Arts in Russian and French, cum laude PUSHKIN LANGUAGE INSTITUTE, Moscow, USSR Semester Abroad for Russian Language Coursework MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE, Middlebury, Vermont Russian Language Summer Program PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Member, District of Columbia Bar (active) Member, Virginia State Bar Member, United States Supreme Court Bar, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal, 4th, 5th, 7th, and 9th Circuits, United States Tax Court, United States Court of Federal Claims Former Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Security Clearance: (b) (6) Recipient: The Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, April, 2009