GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCATES

Joel is a CFM partner who oversees the firm’s DC-based Federal Affairs team. He advocates for clients legislative and funding objectives before Members of Congress and the Executive Branch. Joel joined CFM in 2006 after serving as legislative director for former Congressman Brian Baird who represented Southwest Washington. He is a native of Crofton, Maryland and a graduate of Frostburg State University with a degree in accounting. Joel enjoys baseball, tennis and skiing. He also is a fan of karaoke and speaks fluent “carny”, the language used by traveling carnival workers to communicate without customers knowing what they are saying. Since 2015, Joel’s advocacy for The Bus Coalition has secured $8 billion in federal resources to invest in bus transit throughout the nation.  [Secret ambition: To be a contestant on Survivor.]

Kirby helps clients outline their federal priorities and projects, pursue funding opportunities and advocate on their behalf with Members of Congress and federal agencies. He has assisted CFM clients secure tens of millions in federal funding for Pacific Northwest projects.  Prior to joining CFM in 2017, Kirby worked as a legislative assistant for former Oregon Congressman Greg Walden, managing a broad portfolio of issues that include transportation, infrastructure, education, financial services, taxation, labor and housing. He successfully coordinated the introduction and inclusion of an amendment to the 2015 Surface Transportation bill that ensured bridges in the Columbia River National Scenic Area were eligible for federal transportation funding. He drafted and advocated legislation that restored Transportation Security Administration screening to small airports. Before going to DC, Kirby oversaw Walden’s Eastern Oregon field office responsible for 11 different counties. A native of Bend, Kirby earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Baylor University and a master’s degree in public policy with an emphasis on transportation policy from George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government. He enjoys spending time with his family, exploring new sights and trying out new restaurants. Kirby is an unabashed Baylor Bear fan. [Secret ambition: To visit every continent]

David provides local, state and federal advocacy for CFM’s clients in Washington, with a focus on infrastructure, natural resources, international trade and waterway issues. He worked as Washington Senator Patty Murray’s Southwest Washington director prior to joining CFM in 2019. Previously, David served as a legislative assistant at the Washington State Legislature. He hails from Vancouver and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Washington State University in Pullman. David and his family enjoy traveling to tropical climates or visiting theme parks. He has a passion for cars and looks forward to the transition to electric vehicles. He also is fascinated by all things science fiction. [Secret ambition: To run for local or state office when his children are grown]

Page is based in Portland and Vancouver and advocates for CFM federal affairs clients. Page is an experienced advocate on transportation, housing, and infrastructure issues. She also has extensive experience in working with federal agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers and National Marine and Fisheries. She worked at CFM from 2013 to 2017 and rejoined the firm in 2022. Page has worked in Washington, DC on Capitol Hill as well as in state congressional offices. Before joining CFM, Page worked for Washington Senator Patty Murray, former Congressman Brian Baird (WA-3), Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), former California Senator Barbara Boxer, former Congressman Mark Udall (CO-3) and former Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse (OR-1). Page earned her undergraduate degree in Politics and Government from the University of Puget Sound and a master’s degree in regional and community planning from the University of Oregon. She is an avid biker, hiker, golfer and reader who recently took up pickleball. [Secret ambition: To write the next great American novel.]

Michael advocates in DC for legislative and appropriations objectives of CFM’s municipal clients in the Pacific Northwest. He joined CFM in 2015 and moved to the Federal Affairs team the following year. Hailing from Carlton, Oregon, Michael (his colleagues call him Skip) earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and environmental policy from Oregon State University. Upon graduation, he began work with the CFM State Affairs team in Salem, representing public and private-sector clients and staffing local levy campaigns in the legislative interim. Michael is a devoted Portland Trail Blazers fan and enjoys golf, travel and hikes. [Secret ambition: To visit every continent in the next five years]

Kamron, based in Washington, DC, researches, writes and edits grant proposals on behalf of CFM federal clients. Prior to joining CFM, Kamron was a staff assistant for Washington Congresswoman Jamie Herrera Beutler. He also interned for the Internet Security Alliance, which focuses on cyber-security issues, while earning his graduate degree in international affairs from The Catholic University of America. Kamron is from the Pacific Northwest and graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics. He is an Eagle Scout and enjoys hiking, spearfishing and playing board games. [Secret ambition: Hike the entire Pacific Crest Trail]

Katie Whittier represents CFM’s clients in Olympia, advocating their priorities before the Washington State Legislature. She brings a depth of experience in strategic communications and client advocacy developed over two decades working in public relations, political organizing and community engagement. Her career began with campaign work, including President Barack Obama’s 2008 primary race and U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s 2010 re-election. She went on to direct outreach in both Southwest Washington and King County for Senator Murray, after which she honed her communications skills serving in-house and in consulting roles to ports, cities, transportation agencies, workforce and economic development organizations, nonprofits and small businesses. An Idaho native, she holds degrees in Sociology and Music from the University of Idaho. She now lives with her husband and stepson in the South Sound region where she can easily escape to Mount Rainier National Park to hike, camp and gather inspiration. [Secret ambition: To own a retreat center on acreage with stunning views where burnt-out introverts can find the solitude we all crave.]