Joe Trauger
Vice President of Human Resource Policy
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
Joe Trauger is vice president of human resources policy at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). In this capacity, Joe serves as the senior lobbyist before Congress and the Administration on a wide range of human resources issues, including health care, immigration, education and training, workplace safety and labor management. Prior to joining the NAM, he operated his own consulting practice—Joe Trauger (JT) Consulting— which specialized in health care issues. He also worked at the Healthcare Distribution Management Association, where he managed the federal lobbying team, and previously served as senior vice president for The Federalist Group, where he managed the health care practice. Joe has more than 10 years of experience on Capitol Hill. He served for a US senator and several Representatives, including nearly four years in House leadership as the principal health advisor in the majority leader and majority whip offices. He also worked with the House Energy and Commerce Committee, House Ways and Means Committee, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and Senate Finance Committee. Joe has effectively worked for associations and corporations with varying business and political needs and has successfully secured introduction of bipartisan legislation, developed amendment strategies, built coalitions and directed fundraising efforts on behalf of his clients and employers. Joe earned his BA in political science from Minnesota State University—Mankato.
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Leann Paradise
Manager of External Relations
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
Leann Paradise is the manager of external relations for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and has been with the association since 2007. She is responsible for the execution of the NAM’s Get-Out-the-Vote program and other political engagement activities. In addition, she oversees grassroots programs outside Washington, DC, that allow members of Congress to directly interact with manufacturers and learn about the manufacturing community.
Leann previously served on the staff of former U.S. Senator George Allen (R-VA), first as an assistant scheduler in his Capitol Hill office, and later, as office manager for his 2006 Senate campaign. She holds a B.A. in history from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and is a native of northeast Ohio. She currently resides in Arlington, VA.