On The Capitol Beach, Derek Brockbank speaks with Jason Jordan of the American Planning Association, and John “JB” Byrd representing the Digital Coast Partnership Advocacy Coalition about the partnership and advocacy that led to the recent enactment of the Digital Coast Act (S. 1069, which has become Public Law [PL] 116-223). This pod is an “in-the-weeds” sequel to the ASPN podcast from October 2020 on the Digital Coast with Nicolas “Miki” Schmidt at NOAA. Derek, Jason and John get into what it takes to make an effective federal coastal program, including a user-group partnership of stakeholders and an organized coalition of advocates who can bring political support for the program. We also explain the difference between a federal project and a federal program, as Digital Coast has shifted from project to program.
And if you want to catch up on the first ASPN podcast on Digital Coast:
Check out Digital Coast: https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/
Learn more about the Digital Coast Partnership: https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/about/partnership.html
Digital Coast Act press statement from lead Sponsor, Sen. Tammy Baldwin: https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/baldwins-bipartisan-digital-coast-act-passes-congress
Jason Jordan directs policy and government relations for the American Planning Association. He is responsible for advancing the organization’s legislative, policy, and advocacy agenda. Jason was a visiting policy fellow with the Royal Town Planning Institute in London. He served as a partner in the public affairs firm, Advocacy Associates, LLC, where he directed the firm’s transportation and community development practice. Previously, Jordan worked for U.S. Senator Max Cleland and in policy positions for several organizations. He has degrees from Emory University and American University.
JB Byrd is Vice President with Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, LLC specializing in government affairs given his 19 years in advocacy, policy, and strategic initiatives. He began working in the Federal policy arena in October 2001 as an aide to a U.S. Senator. JB is the registered federal lobbyist for the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) and the U.S. Geospatial Executives Organization (U.S. GEO). He is the organizer of the Digital Coast Partnership Advocacy Coalition. In November, JB was named a “Top Lobbyist” by the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics (NILE).
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ASBPA Executive Director, Derek Brockbank, hosts this semi-regular podcast. Prior to starting with ASBPA, Derek worked as campaign director for a coalition effort to restore the Mississippi River Delta and Coastal Louisiana, and was part of a gulf-wide campaign to pass the RESTORE Act, securing billions of dollars for Gulf Coast restoration. This followed up on his work with National Wildlife Federation on climate adaption. Derek started his career as a grassroots organizer. Derek grew up in New York City and got his coastal education from an early age playing on the beaches of Long Island, and kayaking and fishing in Peconic Bay.
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