Jim Craven to Lead AeA’s Public Policy Efforts in Northwest Region

Washington, DC (March 5, 2008) – One day after appointing Roxanne Gould to lead AeA’s state government affairs efforts, Christopher Hansen, AeA’s President and CEO, named six regional policy directors to support member companies in State Capitols across the country. Jim Craven, who is based in AeA’s Lake Oswego, Oregon office, was chosen to lead public policy efforts on issues in the northwest region (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming).

“To assure consistency and effectiveness in providing our members with a greater presence across the country, I have assigned staff to focus on specific policy areas that our members have established as top priorities to the high-tech industry,” said Christopher Hansen. “This new structure will streamline the communication process and enable quick and efficient action on state policy matters.”

Jim Craven will continue to serve as Director of Legislative and Public Affairs for the Oregon Council of AeA, in addition to managing AeA’s expanded state legislative initiatives. Since joining AeA in 1988, his duties have included legislative relations at the Oregon State Legislature and with members of the Oregon Congressional delegation.

In the Oregon Legislature, Craven has worked on a variety of issues, including higher education, state tax policy, digital commerce law, transportation and energy, and environmental regulations. He has served on several advisory committees for the Department of Environmental Quality. He is an ex-officio member of the state’s Engineering and Technology Industry Council.

Prior to joining AeA, Craven worked on the committee staff at the Oregon Legislature and served as legislative assistant for two sessions with then State Rep. Ron Cease of Portland in 1985 and 1987. He also worked as a political campaign consultant and for six years in private and public higher education advancement.

Each of the six regional policy directors will be responsible for tracking overall state legislative activity in their respective regions. The other regional policy directors are:

• California - Joe Gregorich ( based in Sacramento, CA)
• Midwest - Ed Longanecker (based in Oakbrook Terrace, IL)
• Northeast - Justin Wright (based in Albany, NY)
• Southeast - Ben Aderson (based in Washington, DC)
• Southern - Jeff Clark (based in Austin, TX)

For more information about AeA’s State Government Affairs program, and to see a detailed map for each region, please visit www.aeanet.org/SGAmap.



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About AeA
AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members’ top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit www.aeanet.org.

This page was last updated on 03/05/08.