Julie Shroyer is Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Wheat Government Relations and heads the health care practice of the firm. Now with more than 18 years of government relations experience she is an expert specializing in helping clients understand and benefit from the Congressional appropriations and budget processes. She is in daily contact with Washington's leading policy experts; including those on Capitol Hill, in federal agencies, and in national organizations and advocacy coalitions. Immediately prior to joining Wheat Government Relations in 2001, Ms. Shroyer was Vice-President of Capitol Associates. Beginning in 1998, her clients included health professional associations, medical research coalitions, and a large research university. Her work resulted in numerous legislative victories, including increased Congressional awareness of client policy initiatives, earmarked appropriations, and favorable legislative and regulatory language. From 1990 to 1992, Ms. Shroyer learned the legislative process first hand by working on Capitol Hill as a professional staff member for the House Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families, working closely with Chairpersons Congressman George Miller (D-CA) and former Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder (D-CO). Ms. Shroyer continues to develop and maintain her extensive bipartisan network of contacts that include members of Congress, committee and personal staff, association leaders, and agency executives. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Social Work from Western Michigan University. She is married and has two children.