Ed Merlis is a public affairs and government relations consultant whose executive branch, Capitol Hill, trade association and corporate experience extends back to his production of the government's anti-smoking commercials more than 40 years ago. Having served as Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Chief of Staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he is deeply familiar with all facets of the legislative and public affairs process. He has also worked on a wide variety of campaigns involving the communications and transportation industries. These include the Stop Oil Speculation Now campaign, winner of a 2008 PRSA Silver Anvil Award, and the Strategic Safety Initiative, an image rehabilitation and legislative campaign for the Regional Airline Association. He has also been involved with the advertising, communications, and website re-branding of The Pebble Partnership, the largest copper mine currently being explored in North America, and the grassroots, coalition building, regulatory and legislative components of "The Future Faster," the U.S. Telecom Association's effort to facilitate telephone company entry into video. His private sector management experience includes serving in leadership roles in several associations and companies including the National Cable Television Association (during Congressional consideration of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984) and the Grocery Manufacturers of America, Inc. He was President, Cable Affiliate Division, Telaction Corporation, a wholly owned J.C. Penney subsidiary that developed a pre-broadband interactive video and information service.