Mark N. Ourada

Experience

• 

  State of Minnesota

  Jan 1995 - Dec 2005

  State Senator

  As Senator, I collaborated on the execution of laws to protect the rights of Minnesota residents and created the overall caucus legislative and political strategy as elected Assistant Minority Leader. I also managed budgets and staff of both legislative and political arms of the caucus. My key contributions included:• Developed caucus energy and transportation policy, delivering votes from both sides of the aisle for major legislation.• Served on Education, Healthcare, Commerce and Jobs, Energy & Employment Committees.• Selected to represent caucus at the Council of State Government (CSG). Regional Executive Committee and National Committee. Show less

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  The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity

  Jul 2005 - Sept 2015

  As Central Region Vice President, I led advocacy and engagement efforts using all modalities (direct lobbying, media, grassroots, coalitions, and alliances) for ACCCE policies through face-forward representation across the 12-state Central Region. I collaborated with 60 ACCCE member companies balancing their diverse interests and building solid relationships with external stakeholders to educate, cultivate support, and effect direct actions from public officials and coalitions. My key contributions included:• In 2015, planned and executed strategy to pass legislation and resolutions that supported ACCCE initiatives. Achieved objectives in 5 out of 6 targeted states.• Spearheaded project to promote ACCCE mission and strategy initiatives to national/regional organizations, including National Governors’ Association (NGA), Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG), National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Council of State Governments (CSG), and American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) - achieving support of more than 20 state attorneys general in the form of a dozen letters and legal actions - defeating negative—and inserting beneficial—language in formal NGA policy for seven years in a row. Show less In this role, I propelled growth for the newly-created ACCCE External Affairs program. I designed and executed plans to promote strategic government relations and legislative/regulatory policies to national organizations of governors, regulators, attorneys general, and legislators. My key contributions included: • Created, executed, and adapted budget and outreach plans for 10 major organizations of national public officials. Strategically managed contract consultants and reallocated resources, achieving ACCCE mission objectives and meeting budget goals every year. • Forged and fostered strategic partnerships to influence policy decisions of both elected officials’ organizations and key individual influencers, leading to the achievement of ongoing, quantifiable success in defeating, amending, or adopting resolutions/policy positions favorable to member- company goals. • Led the development of legal and policy strategies to influence governors, legislators, attorneys general, and their staffs. Exceeded each year’s annual goal of delivering a major presentation to 10 national organizations. Show less

  • Central Region Vice President

    Jan 2012 - Sept 2015

  • Vice President for External Affairs

    Jul 2005 - Dec 2011
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  FOCUS: Stateside LLC

  Oct 2015 - now

  Principal

  In this position, I employed state legislative and lobbying experience to specialize in state-level engagement for the advocacy needs of high-profile industries in IT, energy, environment, transportation, and commerce. I built consensus with diverse stakeholders and gain broad-based support. Constructed collaborative coalitions to optimize results. I also conducted client-needs assessments, identify key challenges and opportunities, and recommend action steps. My key contributions included:• Represent KMGi Group business software program. Work with legislative and executive branches to manage cyber- security/data security, data/personal privacy issues, and update state procurement processes, while also promoting KMGi Group’s innovative business technology. • Serve as Executive Director of National Coal Transportation Association. Executed strategies to expand membership, raise industry profile, and improve fiscal health, including 75% reduction in ISP costs and 20% reduction in magazine production costs. Developed first-ever strategic plan. Instituted new multi-platform communications and social media programs.• Dimension Renewable EnergyOriginated and led lobbying effort in key Midwest states and other targeted states around the country. Developed strategy, hired/managed lobbyists, actively lobbied. • Built trusted relationships with legislators and worked closely with legislative leadership, chairs, and influential members. Educated members and established self as a go-to resource for authors and committee members.• Earned chair support and gained legislative hearings. Established strong committee vote positions to confirm legislation passage. Show less