Jessica Lenard

Ms. Lenard has over thirteen years of experience in Washington, DC both in the private sector and on Capitol Hill. She focuses her work on energy and environmental issues and has extensive experience in both the U.S. House and Senate. As a legislative assistant to Senate Assistant Majority Leader Durbin for the past three years, she developed and executed Senator Durbin’s legislative agenda for energy and environmental issues. She also was responsible for science and technology issues in the Senator's office. As an energy policy staffer for a member of the Senate Leadership, Ms. Lenard worked extensively with Majority Leader Harry Reid’s energy and environmental policy staff to shape the democratic legislative agenda. She also played a crucial role in formulating an energy platform heading into the pivotal 2006 midterm elections. Prior to her position in Senator Durbin’s office, Ms. Lenard served as senior legislative assistant to Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ), providing strategic counsel to the senior Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and House Resources Committee on all energy and environment matters. Her legislative portfolio included renewable energy and energy efficiency, air, water and land quality issues, such as Superfund and Brownfields, and Native American issues among others. Prior to her Hill career, she served as associate director for the Marina Operators Association of America (MOAA) where she successfully initiated and developed a legislative and regulatory program for the organization. She joined MOAA after a year as a legislative representative, PAC director for the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Ms. Lenard began her work on energy policy as a legislative staff assistant for the American Public Power Association.