Dave Roberts, MPA, FHIMSS, joined HIMSS in August 2002 and is Vice President of Government Relations and Senior Executive for HIMSS' Virginia Office, which includes the Office of Advocacy & Public Policy (Government Relations). Formerly, Dave served as a financial analyst for the U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon and Germany, as a staff assistant to U.S. Senator Lowell Weicker (R-CT) on the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on the Handicapped, as a senior professional staff member on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, and as a Corporate Vice President for one of HIMSS Diamond Corporate members. Dave has also worked on three U.S. Presidential campaigns and as a staff assistant for Virginia State Senator Patsy Ticer (D-Alexandria) in the Virginia General Assembly. Dave serves as the staff liaison to HIMSS Advocacy & Public Policy Steering Committee, is HIMSS primary contact for all congressional outreach, is a frequent public speaker, and a national columnist. Dave was elected to a four-year term as a member of the Solana Beach (California) City Council in 2004, serves as Vice Chair of North San Diego County Transportation District which is responsible for operating all public transportation for over 1 million individuals, and is a member of Rep. Brian Bilbray’s (R-CA) health policy advisory council.
Blair Hedgepeth, is Manager of Congressional Affairs for HIMSS National and supports all congressional activities. She represents HIMSS at the Congressional Luncheon Seminar Series and the Friday Collaborative Group consisting of representation from many health IT associations. Blair is charged with hosting the HIMSS National Advocacy Day, Advocacy Breakfast at HIMSS Annual Conference, in charge of all Capitol Hill outreach. Blair is responsible for hosting congressional staff trips to local practices showcasing HIT applications as well as an annual Staff trip to the U.S. Conference and Exhibition. Prior to joining HIMSS, Blair worked at the Virginia General Assembly for two years as a legislative aide. She is a graduate of Virginia Tech, the University of Connecticut Healthcare Information Technology Certificate Program and is working on her Masters in Public Administration.
Margaret McNamara is Coordinator of Congressional Affairs and supports Dave Roberts and the Government Relations team. She is responsible for coordinating the Advocacy & Public Policy Steering Committee, Legislation and Regulation Review Task Force, Globalization of HIT Work Group, Weekly Advocacy Leader One-on-Ones, Advocacy Activities Matrix, Payer/Life Sciences Roundtables and D.C. Office meetings.
Tom Leary, FHIMSS, MALA is Senior Director of Federal Affairs and responsible for all federal government executive branch liaison. Tom is staff liaison to the HIMSS Government Relations Roundtable (HGRR), where he is responsible for interacting with Diamond Corporate government relations members.
Jonathan French is Coordinator of Federal Affairs and supports Tom Leary and the federal government executive branch outreach. He is responsible for coordinating the HIMSS Government Relations Roundtable, advocacy@himss.org, the Executive Calendar, Public Policy Forum, and the Advocacy Stoplight Scorecard.
Tom Keefe, MA, is Director of State Government Relations and responsible for leveraging the grassroots capabilities of HIMSS chapters. Tom works to seamlessly integrate all state government relations activities to expand national HIMSS influence and expertise via our chapters. Tom is staff liaison to the Chapter Advocacy Liaison Roundtable (CALR).
Arnol Simmons is Coordinator of Government Relations and supports Tom Keefe and the State Government Relations initiative. He is responsible for coordinating the Chapter Advocacy Liaison Roundtable and the Levels of HIMSS certification program and the State Legislation Tracker II.
K. Meredith Taylor, MPH, is Manager of State Government Relations and supports all state government activities. Meredith is responsible for maximizing grassroots activities within HIMSS chapters to build a nationwide network of state-based legislation/ regulations that impact all aspects of health information technology and management systems.
