USM Appoints Andy Clark Director of Legislative Affairs
ADELPHI, Md. (January
4, 2008) - The
University System of Maryland (USM) has appointed Andy Clark as the system's
new director of legislative affairs. Clark brings 12
years of experience in higher education as associate director for state
government relations and later senior associate director for federal affairs
with the Oregon University System.
"Andy's experience in higher
education advocacy and government relations is extensive," said P. J. Hogan, USM's
Associate Vice Chancellor for Government Relations. "He is a great addition to
our team and will be a tremendous asset to our efforts as we make the support
of public education a higher priority for state legislators and for the
citizens of Maryland."
Clark is a graduate of the University of Oregon
and holds a B.A. in political science. He began his career in
government
relations in 1991 as a legislative aide to Oregon State Representative
James
Edmunson. From 1991 to 1993, he served as a legislative assistant to
Oregon
Congressman Peter DeFazio, providing research and guidance on
education, health
care, and judicial issues. In 1993, he joined the Oregon University
System as
associate director for state government relations. In 1997, he was
promoted to
senior associate director for federal relations and returned to
Washington, DC, to establish the system's federal affairs office to
bring more federal support of research to Oregon's universities.
In November 2005, Clark
founded the political and policy consulting firm of NorthPort Communications
based in Portland, Oregon, and served clients in post-secondary and
environmental education. From September 2006 to September 2007, he also served
as political affairs manager for the Oregon Association of Relators®. Clark and
his wife, Elizabeth LaPolt Clark, currently reside in Washington, DC.
"I am truly excited to
continue playing a role in higher education and look forward to working
with Maryland's legislators and policymakers to advance the cause
of our public universities," Clark said. "USM is vital to Maryland's
economic leadership and quality of life. I am
proud to assist the chancellor and our institutions in this mission."
Contact: John Buettner
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: jbuettner@usmd.edu
