NTMA Expands Member Services, Teams with Government Affairs Firm Waterman & Associates

The NTMA announced today that it has partnered with government affairs firm Waterman & Associates to provide new services to its members.  Waterman & Associates is based in Washington, D.C. and has over 15 years of experience advocating for metalworking trade associations.

The primary purpose of the new partnership is to advance NTMA's and the contract manufacturing industry's interests and concerns with federal government policymakers.  To accomplish this, Waterman & Associates will help NTMA identify legislative issues of importance to members, and develop and implement a plan of action for advocacy on each issue.  "We're eager to start working with Waterman & Associates to advance NTMA's cause," said Joe Tenebria, chairman of NTMA's government affairs team.  "NTMA and its members have a need for a voice in Washington, and they have years of experience with similar organizations - it's an ideal fit."

NTMA members can use Waterman & Associates as a resource.  The firm will prepare updates and alerts so that members are always aware of the latest developments affecting their business.  "We keep track of new situations so our clients don't have to," said Diana Waterman, vice president of Waterman & Associates.  "An issue shows up on our radar screen and we follow it from beginning to end.  If it affects NTMA, we'll inform the membership, update them as the situation unfolds, and take whatever action is necessary to ensure a positive outcome."

The first step toward providing extra services to members will occur in late June, when NTMA will survey its membership to determine which issues are most important to them.  This will help provide focus and a framework for the effort.

NTMA will also create a Washington Hotline.  Members with federal affairs and policy questions will be able to call a dedicated line to reach NTMA's Washington office at Waterman & Associates.  Staffers there will then perform research and provide answers.  "We really like the hotline," said Tenebria.  "It puts a ton of information at our members' fingertips."

An additional function of the new partnership is to reenergize NTMA's political action committee.  Waterman & Associates will provide advice on PAC implementation, identify potential fundraising methods, and generally expand and improve the PAC's activities.

NTMA and Waterman & Associates are exploring the potential for an NTMA Washington fly-in for members in 2006.  This event would empower NTMA grassroots and allow members to experience hands-on advocacy with Congress.

Shane Downey of Waterman & Associates will be coordinating the firm's NTMA services.  Mr. Downey has extensive experience advocating on trade, tax and competitiveness issues before Congress and the federal agencies.  Since joining the firm in 2003 he has represented both the American Foundry Society and the North American Die Casting Association on these and other key manufacturing issues.  NTMA members may recall that Shane served as Director of Government Affairs at NTMA prior to joining Waterman & Associates.

Amy Blankenbiller, the senior environmental associate at Waterman & Associates, will bring another new dimension to the NTMA government affairs program.  Ms. Blankenbiller's experience in the environmental arena, particularly with regard to metalworking, is extensive.  She knows and understands the broad spectrum of environmental laws and regulations, and also handles worker safety and health issues.  Her ability to rapidly absorb and analyze the details of various metalworking processes will make her an asset to the NTMA program.