We are pleased to inform our members that our federal and state advocacy efforts will be reimagined and enhanced by a new departmental structure.  Effective August 1, we will be combining three distinct departments: Governmental Relations, Federal Advocacy, and Policy Analysis and Research, into one department of Governmental Relations. The goal of this consolidation is to enhance GMA’s ability to provide the best in advocacy for Georgia cities at both the federal and state levels.

By reimagining our advocacy staff, we create synergy, speak with one common voice at the state and federal level, provide new opportunities for our talented team, and strategically integrate these services to maximize our effectiveness and influence.

Jim Thornton will remain as Director of Governmental Relations, and in this role will oversee both state and federal relations and advocacy as well as research and policy analysis. Claire Chan will become the Manager of Research and Federal Relations, and she will both manage the Federal Policy Council and lead an enhanced policy analysis and research effort with a new full-time research staff member to be hired in 2025.

Our existing GR Team will be aligned based on specific policy areas, with each staff member having a similar policy role on both the state and federal levels. We will continue to work closely with the National League of Cities, while ensuring our policies and positions are unique to the needs and best interest of our member cities. This additional staff capacity creates a force multiplier at the federal level and ensures we have an entire team monitoring both state and federal issues. It will also allow for additional meetings of the Federal Policy Council to discuss and develop policy positions. 

We imagine that this consolidation will improve coordination and delivery of services, enhance state and federal advocacy efforts, improve member engagement and communication, take advantage of our strong existing talent, and provide our staff new growth opportunities.