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The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has engaged three top talents for key positions in its Washington office to benefit the expansion of their government affairs efforts. Michael Pasko will support the advancement of initiatives at thefederal level and Kelsi Morris will serve in a public relations and communications role supporting all NMMA government relations and advocacy. In addition, Erica Crocker joined NMMA at the latter half of 2016 focusing on the industry’s political action committee, BoatPAC, but will now also take on NMMA’s growing federal policy portfolio. All three are based in NMMA’s Washington, D.C. office.

Michael Pasko serves as the director of federal government affairs. Pasko will help develop NMMA’s policy initiatives on Capitol Hill and with the Administration, reporting to Vice President of Federal and Legal Affairs, Nicole Vasilaros.

Previously, Pasko worked at a government affairs firm founded by the late former Rep. Steve LaTourette. He worked with a broad range of clients and focused on matters pertaining to transportation, energy, environment, and taxes.

Before his work in the private sector, Pasko spent nearly five years working on Capitol Hill for a House Republican member of the Ways & Means Committee.

Prior to his work on the Hill, Pasko served President George W. Bush in two different offices in the White House: the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the Office of Presidential Advance.

Pasko is originally from Springfield, Illinois and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from American University in Washington, D.C.

Erica Crocker, who became a part of the NMMA Government Affairs team in July 2016, is the director of political advocacy and engagement and reports to Vasilaros. Her expertise and outstanding performance advocating on behalf of NMMA’s legislative endeavors to date, bolstered her advancement to the next level. Crocker will continue with her existing responsibilities advancing BoatPAC but is adding lobbying on NMMA’s federal policy issues to her role.

Crocker began her career in Washington, DC at the White House under the Administration of George W. Bush. Under the Bush Administration, Crocker served in several positions including Director of Legislative Correspondence and Director, Presidential Greetings. At the end of the Bush Administration, Crocker joined the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) to serve as Confidential Assistant to Chairman Pete Sessions.

Crocker also worked at CSX as Specialist, Federal Affairs and Susan G. Komen as Major Gift Officer. While at CSX, she managed their PAC, including solicitation strategies, managing the PAC compliance vendor, PAC budgets, and planning the PAC board meeting and member appreciation events.

Crocker has a BA in Political Science and International Studies from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.  She also received her Masters of Political Management from The George Washington University.

Kelsi Morris is the Public Relations and Communications Manager in the D.C. office. She coordinates with all sides of the government relations team including federal, state, advocacy and engagement initiatives to keep membership and the public abreast of key government issues and opportunities impacting recreational boating. Morris reports to Vice President of Marketing Communications and PR, Ellen Hopkins, and Senior Vice President of Government Relations, John McKnight.

Morris has a background in the public relations arena having worked at several top-tier global communications and public relations agencies such as, Golin and Hill+Knowlton Strategies. She has experience providing strategic counsel and support to clients in the energy, corporate and non-profit sectors, having worked specifically on crisis, brand reputation and public awareness issues.

Morris graduated cum laude with a BA in Media and Communication from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.