Ben Parish
San Luis Obispo
Summary
Results-driven government relations and advocacy professional with expertise in navigating complex legislative and regulatory environments at the local, state, and federal levels. Demonstrated ability to successfully collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including elected officials, government agencies, industry leaders, and community groups to advance policy priorities. Skilled at fostering stakeholder relationships, drafting policy materials, and hosting events to influence outcomes on sophisticated, multifaceted issues.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director
MWE Group
07.2022 - Current
- Lead contractor for a national fundraising firm, serving as the primary contact for the firm’s clients and donors.
- Responsibilities include creating, implementing, and adjusting client finance plans, planning and executing events, identifying and communicating with major donors, preparing executive-level briefings, staffing clients, and overseeing regional finance consultants.
- Oversee clients’ day-to-day fundraising operations, with a proven track record of problem-solving and finding creative solutions to accommodate the availability of client campaigns, donors, high-profile national surrogates, CEOs, and business executives.
- MWE’s current and former 2024 election clients include Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sen. Jim Justice (R-WV), U.S. Senate Candidate Sam Brown (R-NV), Rep. Tony Wied (WI-08), Rep. Max Miller (OH-07), and Cory Mills (FL-07).
- MWE served as the Finance Director for Sam Brown for Nevada and Tony Wied for Congress, overseeing all fundraising operations, meeting or exceeding both campaign goals, notably Sam Brown for Nevada’s $20 million budget.
- Streamlined operations for increased efficiency with process improvements and automation.
Deputy Campaign Manager & Finance Director
Harry Wilson for Governor
02.2022 - 06.2022
- Successfully managed all finance and fundraising staff, overseeing events, compliance, donor relationships and communication, as well as vendor coordination, to ensure seamless campaign operations.
- Campaign liaison with national and New York policy think-tanks to develop the candidate’s policy proposals.
- Oversaw the collection of 36,000 signatures during a ballot access campaign, setting a state record and demonstrating exceptional organizational and leadership skills.
- Coordinated statewide political and media events, aligning campaign activities with stakeholder priorities and strategic objectives.
Vice President, Government Relations
Structured Finance Association (SFA)
04.2019 - 01.2022
- Acted as primary congressional lobbyist on healthcare, banking, and finance issues, representing SFA before Senate Banking and House Financial Services Committees.
- Analyzed legislative and regulatory trends, drafting issue briefs, letters, and fact sheets to shape policy outcomes with congressional offices and regulatory agencies.
- Managed SFA’s Political Action Committee (PAC), overseeing compliance, strategic budgeting, and fundraising events across Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, and New York City.
- Built coalitions with industry associations and coordinated member fly-ins, strengthening advocacy for health and financial policy initiatives.
- Developed Key Performance Indicators to track advocacy success, aligning strategies with changes in legislative, regulatory, and political environments.
Federal Government Relations Liaison
National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA)
03.2015 - 04.2019
- Led advocacy on life and health insurance policy priorities, securing broad bipartisan support across seven congressional committees.
- Drafted policy summaries, talking points, issue briefs, and comment letters in response to legislative and regulatory rulemakings to use in direct lobbying and grassroots advocacy efforts.
- Provided expert guidance on PAC distribution strategy; based on 2018 National Journal research, NAIFA’s giving strategy provided access to the broadest range of House and Senate members while also leading the industry in targeting key committee members.
- Represented NAIFA at state and national regulatory and industry working groups.
Legislative Assistant
State Senator Joel Anderson (R-San Diego)
08.2011 - 01.2015
- Drafted and negotiated legislative language, successfully advancing bills through the committee process in collaboration with stakeholders and local, state, and federal leaders.
- Represented the Senator at events across San Diego County and Sacramento, preparing briefings, fact sheets, and press releases to support legislative priorities.
- Collaborated with state agencies and stakeholders to advance integrated care policies, demonstrating expertise in policy and stakeholder engagement, primarily focusing on the Senator’s Health Committee assignment.
- Organized the State Senate’s largest annual legislative open house for over 3,000 constituents, showcasing event planning and community engagement skills.
- Managed a team of 50 interns, fostering professional development and ensuring efficient operations in a fast-paced legislative environment.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CAGraduate Degree - Applied Policy & Government
California State University, Sacramento
Sacramento, CASkills
- Government Relations & Advocacy: Extensive experience advocating for legislative proposals and regulatory changes, analyzing regulatory trends, and aligning organizational strategies with changes in policy and political environments
- Strategic Planning & Management: Skilled in managing and developing data-driven advocacy strategies and fostering collaboration to achieve organizational goals in high-pressure environments
- Policy Development & Communication: Demonstrated expertise in breaking down complex issues into clear, actionable briefs, fact sheets, and talking points for stakeholders who are not policy experts
- Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to build and foster relationships with elected officials, government agencies, industry leaders, and community groups to drive policy priorities
- Event & Program Coordination: Expert in planning and executing large-scale events, stakeholder fly-ins, and public engagement initiatives
Timeline
Senior Director
MWE Group
07.2022 - Current
Deputy Campaign Manager & Finance Director
Harry Wilson for Governor
02.2022 - 06.2022
Vice President, Government Relations
Structured Finance Association (SFA)
04.2019 - 01.2022
Federal Government Relations Liaison
National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA)
03.2015 - 04.2019
Legislative Assistant
State Senator Joel Anderson (R-San Diego)
08.2011 - 01.2015
Graduate Degree - Applied Policy & Government
California State University, Sacramento
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of California, Santa Barbara
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