Before joining Arent Fox, Jamie spent more than three years as the director of government affairs for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). At GAMA, Jamie advocated the industry’s public policy positions in both the House and Senate on issues such as FAA reauthorization, homeland security, product liability, and environmental issues. He also managed GAMA’s Political Action Committee and staffed the association’s Product Liability and Legal Issues Committee.
Jamie’s successes at GAMA include:
- Leading a coalition that secured language in both the House and Senate FAA reauthorization bills preserving the ability of manufacturers to repair foreign aircraft in the United States.
- Securing “bonus depreciation” language in the 2008 and 2009 economic stimulus bills as well as the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 to help businesses purchase general aviation aircraft.
- Building bipartisan support in Congress for revisions to the Transportation Security Administration’s Large Aircraft Security Program, which the agency agreed to do with industry input.
- Securing compromise language in the Fairness in Admiralty and Maritime Law Act prohibiting punitive damages against manufacturers in maritime accident suits.
- Drafting the industry’s positions on energy and environmental legislation with respect to greenhouse gas emissions, biofuels, and fuel efficiency.
- Winning bipartisan and bicameral support for an amendment to the Senate FAA reauthorization bill which allows charitable organizations to use donations to help volunteer pilots fly medical and humanitarian missions.
Prior to his position at GAMA, Jamie served for nearly six years in Senator John Kerry’s office, spending substantial time as a legislative assistant responsible for transportation, homeland security, and labor policy. He advised the Senator regarding issues before the Senate Commerce Committee and counseled him on budget and appropriations issues within his legislative portfolio. He also assisted the Senator on telecommunications issues, including broadband deployment and net neutrality, and helped Massachusetts’ technology businesses navigate the federal bureaucracy.
In addition to his legislative duties, Jamie served as an advisor to Senator Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign and as a personal aide in his Senate office.