DANA B. COVINGTON, SR.

5203 Bradwood Street Res: 703-914-0360

Springfield, VA 22151 dc66feba@westpost.net Cell: 703-338-3683
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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS / PUBLIC AFFAIRS EXECUTIVE
Expert on government affairs with extensive knowledge of and contacts in the leg
islative and executive branches at both state and federal levels. Broad backgrou
nd in working with high-level federal officials and foreign diplomats. Excellent
rapport with legislators, agency directors, and key executives at Fortune 500 c
orporations. Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating contacts with the White
House, Congress, and state elected officials - navigating the regulatory and pol
itical processes and negotiating and securing contracts and financing for a wide
range of projects, benefitting hundreds of thousands of individuals. Proven abi
lity to provide exceptional leadership to agencies and projects and control reve
nue/funding in excess of $100 billion.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Relationship Building
Consensus Builder
Media Campaigns
Public Speaking
Press Releases
Executive Leadership
Compliance Reviews Collaborative Skills
Contract Awards
Project Funding
Government Grants/Loans
Uncompromising Integrity
Congressional Hearings
Project Management
Creative Thinking
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
D & J ASSOCIATES, Springfield, VA 2009 - Present
Government Affairs Consultant
Advise numerous organizations on matters of legislation, funding, and various ot
her issues. Presently retained by 12 diverse business entities to identify and s
ecure millions of dollars for project activities.
Selected Accomplishments
* Provided management and technical assistance for 50 small business entities un
der federal contracts in seven states.
* Spearheaded the awarding of contracts for a 501c3 agency and secured funds fro
m the federal and state government levels.
* Negotiated client business matters with USDA, Department of Commerce, U. S. De
partment of Homeland Security, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
* Selected as an expert authority to present evidence before the U. S. Patent an
d Trademark Office.
* Assisted numerous organizations that provide services to more than 250,000 ind
ividuals.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE /
RURAL DEVELOPMENT, Washington, DC 2006 - 2009
Confidential Assistant to the Under Secretary
Appointed by President George W. Bush to perform a variety of legislative and pu
blic affairs duties relative to water/wastewater, electricity, telecommunication
s infrastructure, single and multiple-family housing, community facilities, and
business development projects nationwide. Served as a liaison between Rural Deve
lopment and the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives offices and committees.
 Recommended, prepared, and accompanied key policy officials in testifying befor
e Congress. Responded to congressional inquiries, coordinated meetings with Capi
tol Hill, and met with stakeholders and elected state and local officials. Super
vised a staff of 20 support specialists.
Selected Accomplishments
* Developed and executed policies that affected constituencies in rural America
with projects that totaled in excess of $111 billion.
* Tracked project announcements and ensured transmission to the legislative bran
ch and congressional offices on grants, loans, and loan guarantees. On average,
there were 5,000 awards and 13,000 announcements to Capitol Hill and state offic
es annually.
* Managed Rural Development's portfolio, which included more than 40 programs us
ed to leverage capital and integrate assistance from both the private and public
sectors.
DANA B. COVINGTON, SR. PAGE 2
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UNITED STATES POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION, Washington, DC 1998 - 2005
Commissioner / Vice Chairman
Appointed by President William J. Clinton as the primary regulator of the United
States Postal Service, to ensure transparency and accountability. Led this inde
pendent agency, which is part of the Executive Branch, to provide regulatory ove
rsight of revenue in excess of $70 billion for 825,000 employees and 38,000 post
al facilities nationwide, as well as changes in the postal rates and mail classi
fications proposed by the USPS.
Selected Accomplishments
* Established and implemented rigorous methods to assess the adherence to compli
ance reviews that focused on objectives and factors of customer service and fina
ncial standards.
* Participated in formal hearings when the Postal Service proposed rates or clas
sification changes, soliciting perspective from major stakeholders such as magaz
ine publishers, newspapers, Fortune 500 companies, postal labor unions, shippers
, and individual consumers.
* Testified before Congress and undertook special studies on postal issues.
* Presided over cases which involved studies of negotiated service agreements.
UNITED STATES SENATE SERGEANT AT ARMS OFFICE, Washington, DC 1997 - 1998
Director of Communications, Planning and Policy
Directed public affairs, communication strategy, and media relationships. Collab
orated with Senate staffers to ensure government advocacy approach. Frequently a
ttended congressional seminars/ meetings and participated in various discussions
. Interacted with all components and divisions of the U.S. Senate on communicati
on and policy matters.
Selected Accomplishments
* Nurtured and expanded relationships with the Senate community and the public.
* Supervised preparation of press releases, media kits, and promotional material
s.
* Maintained constant contact with news editors, producers, and reporters.
* Served as Editor of the Senate newsletter; designed layouts, and maintained ci
rculation database.
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE, Washington, DC 1996 - 1997
Congressional Candidate and Political Consultant
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, Falls Church, VA 1990 - 1995
Special Assistant to the Commissioner
Appointed by President George H. W. Bush to assist the Commissioner of the Socia
l Security Administration with the management of a staff of over 65,000 employee
s. Helped coordinate 10 regional offices, 6 processing centers, and 1300 field o
ffices. At that time, SSA mailed monthly benefit checks to 43 million Americans
and posted earnings for 141 million workers.
Selected Accomplishments
* Initiated and maintained contact with key congressional and executive official
s.
* Attended all congressional and senatorial hearings dealing with Social Securit
y issues.
Additional experience includes Special Assistant at the U.S. Department of Energ
y and District Director for Congressman Webb Franklin.
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EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI, Oxford, MS
Master of Science in Criminal Justice & Sociology
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science