NACD: A minute with… Laura Chambers

Laura Chambers joined NACD’s team in March as director, legislative affairs, bringing valuable legislative and regulatory experience from her previous roles at The Fertilizer Institute and the office of Senator John D. Rockefeller IV

What attracted you to NACD?
The Fertilizer Institute is directly connected to agriculture and I worked closely with the agriculture community, so NACD and the issues impacting its members are a little different. In my new role, I now have the opportunity to work on several different issues within the chemical sector.

I’ve definitely joined NACD at an exciting time: the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) bill has been recently introduced in Congress as well as rail reform legislation. Given my background on transportation and environment, I’m really looking forward to working both issues. I’ll be working closely with Ben Traynham on the legislative side, and Jennifer Gibson and Theresa Forbes on regulatory issues.

I’m also thrilled that I’ll be working on issues that impact small and medium-sized businesses, which make up a significant portion of NACD’s membership. A lot of the companies I used to deal with were so large that they had their own government affairs shops. Often, you’d connect with just the policy professionals in the company and not necessarily the owner.

It’s nice to sit down with members and talk about the challenges they face. I can say first-hand that they are engaged on policies impacting the industry and have cultivated a strong safety culture through Responsible Distribution I’m incredibly impressed with their knowledge of the issues and their level of involvement in shaping the policymaking process.

Transportation policy is now a key focus for you, what are the main issues facing distributors?
First, the lack of rail competition has led to increased rates and decreased service for our members. For those reasons, seeing the Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act move this Congress is a top priority.

Additionally, the issue of the proposed crude and ethanol tank car standards for rail shippers, for example, is very important right now. The retrofits needed on tank cars will crowd out shop capacity, which in some cases are the same shops our members might use. Further, with the economy recovering, any additional speed restrictions could cause even more delays to an already congested network.

How will your experience on Capitol Hill help in your new role?
I worked with Jay Rockefeller for almost four years. In my last role with him, I served as legislative assistant on environment, energy, transportation, agriculture and economics. I still have a lot of interaction with Capitol Hill; at NACD, I’m just on the other side of the table. Whether on the Hill or off, policymaking is about trying to get people to understand your industry and how legislation impacts it.

That I’ve worked on Capitol Hill and have those relationships will be really helpful. I have solid contacts and I know the process. For instance, what background and materials you need to give Hill staffers to make their jobs easier. They’re so inundated with meetings, calls, and requests, it helps to know what you can do to facilitate them and their decision making.

What has given you most satisfaction both personally and professionally?
It’s always special to work in Congress, but I’m from West Virginia and getting to work for my home-state senator was incredibly special to me. Working on issues affecting a state that’s near and dear to my heart was a great experience, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

It launched my interest in public service, policy, and government. I’m proud of where I’ve come and consider it a great accomplishment to be here now at NACD.

Contact Laura directly at (703) 527-6223 x3062 or find out more about NACD’s team at www.nacd.com/about/leadership/staff/