press room

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 28, 2004 — Americans for the Arts, the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America, announced today the addition of four seasoned veterans to its Government and Public Affairs department.  Narric Rome joins as Director of Federal Affairs; Jay Dick as Director of State Arts Policy; Lina Garcia as Director of Local Arts Policy, and Christopher Turman as Senior Fellow. 

“Their combined experience and efforts will be invaluable to our organization,” states Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO at Americans for the Arts.  “We are poised to take on a broader role in arts advocacy and will aim to make a significant impact on public arts policy.”

As Director of Federal Affairs, Narric Rome will communicate Americans for the Arts’ message to Congress and the Administration, with the goal of influencing public policies that advance direct and indirect support for the arts and arts education. In addition, he will lead the planning for Arts Advocacy Day and associated events. Narric has ten years of experience in the public policy and congressional arena.  He most recently worked on Howard Dean’s presidential campaign in Vermont and served as a legislative aide to Secretary Riley at the U.S. Department of Education. 

Jay Dick will be responsible for working with state arts advocacy groups, service organizations, and elected officials to promote arts-friendly policies at the state level.  He recently worked for a grassroots advocacy software company, Capitol Advantage, advising government affairs/advocacy departments at over 300 of the leading association and private companies nationwide.  Previously, he was Manager of Member Advocacy at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), where he ran a grassroots program with 135,000 members. 

Formerly the Press Secretary for the 2004 Democratic National Convention Committee in Boston, Lina Garcia will aim to expand and develop partnerships with national organizations representing local policymakers and issues.  She will work with local arts agencies, sharing information and promoting local policies that advance support for the arts and will oversee various public awareness campaign initiatives.  Garcia was previously Deputy Communications Director for the U.S. Conference of Mayors and before that worked for Rep. Kika de la Garza in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Christopher Turman was most recently a candidate in the primary race for the U.S. Congress in West Virginia’s Second District.  He will help direct the launch of the organization’s new 501(c)(4) membership group and connected political action committee.  Previously, Turman led a nationwide Social Security education campaign for the National Council of Women’s Organizations (NCWO), the umbrella coalition of 170 women’s groups. He is the former Director of Public Policy for Business & Professional Women/USA, where he led the organization’s federal affairs and political activities.

They join Nina Z. Ozlu, Vice President, Government and Public Affairs and Andy Finch, Senior Director, Government Affairs on the Americans for the Arts’ Government and Public Affairs staff.  Nina has been Americans for the Arts’ principal advocate for more than 11 years.  She manages all federal government and public affairs, grassroots advocacy work, policy development and national coalition-building efforts with both cultural and civic organizations to advance the arts in America.  Andy Finch serves as Americans for the Arts’ chief lobbyist on Capitol Hill and federal executive agencies. Prior to joining Americans for the Arts, he served as a special assistant and arts education advisor to U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley. 

Also part of the Government and Public Affairs team are Justin Beland, Government Affairs and Grassroots Coordinator and Nicole Sparks, Government and Public Affairs Associate.  Beland previously served as Legislative Associate for The College Board.  Sparks is a 2004 graduate from the Carnegie Mellon University with a Master’s Degree in Arts Management.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of more than 40 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

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