VAN ARSDALL & Associates
R. Thomas (TOM) Van
Arsdall, President
13605 McLane Place, Fredericksburg, VA 22407-2344
O: 540-786-4603; e-mail:
tom@vanarsdall.com; Cell:
703-509-4746
|
Professional Philosophy:
Maximizing value to clients through effective, results-oriented analysis and representation in the national legislative and regulatory arena. Place strategic emphasis to the extent practicable on being FOR innovative policy
solutions compatible with client objectives, rather than opposing positions
advocated by others. Dialog promotes
increased understanding, which increases the potential for consensus-based
action. Think ‘outside the box’ in
creative search for potential allies to help achieve winning strategies. Position involvement to be at the table when
policy decisions are made. Provide
sound analysis, credibility and strong professional relationships. Adapt to changing dynamics to ensure
success. |
STRATEGIC ASSETS
Issue Areas of strong expertise include:
·
Environment
[water quality, NPS runoff, CAFO's, pesticides, air]
·
Energy [ag
energy use; petroleum refining & distribution; ethanol, biodiesel &
other biofuels].
·
Conservation in
agriculture.
·
Transportation
of agricultural products & inputs.
Coalition Building, both within agriculture & with non-traditional potential allies.
Education & Outreach, to policymakers & public.
Professional Attributes include:
·
Proficient in
establishing professional relationships, cultivating strategic partnerships and
leveraging limited resources to maximum effect.
·
Known & respected by
wide range of policy decision-makers & stakeholder representatives.
·
Emphasis on teamwork and
client involvement.
·
Motivated, creative and
forward-looking in developing & implementing results-oriented
strategies.
·
Adept at quickly
assimilating complex issues.
·
Excellent analytical,
written, and verbal communications skills.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Vice President, Government Affairs, National Council of Farmer
Cooperatives (NCFC),
Washington DC, September 1979-December 2001.
Registered lobbyist, represented cooperative businesses & their
farmer-members before congress, the administration & regulatory agencies on
environmental, energy & transportation issues.
Senior Policy Analyst, U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA), Office of Energy, Office
of the Secretary, Washington, DC, 1978-1979.
Conducted major departmental energy policy and program strategy
studies; provided analysis and guidance relating to near-term and long-range
energy policy and program planning; assessed proposed national energy policies
and their impact on the U.S food and natural fiber system; and developed
systematic analyses relating to the energy component of USDA's programs and
resources.
Agriculture/Energy Economist, USDA, Economic Research
Service, 1973-1978.
Conducted basic research on energy use in agriculture and staff
analyses of proposed energy policies and their impact on U.S. agriculture.
EDUCATION: University of Illinois: 1971, MA;
1969, BA; 1971-3, doctoral work.
Economic Geography (industrial location theory, economic development)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Friends of the Rappahannock, River advocacy group based in Fredericksburg,
VA. Executive
Committee Member & Fundraising Chair.
Past Chair, Exec Cmte.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
NCFC
·
Leadership involvement, Ag Clean Water Working Group & Ag Energy Users Group.
·
Elected
treasurer & exec committee
member, Food Quality Protection
Act-Implementation Working Group; and exec
committee member, Minor Crop Farmer
Alliance.
·
Farmer
co-op representative, EPA Compliance Assistance Advisory
Committee, 2001.
·
Co-op
negotiator, with traditional
adversaries on water quality issues--sport fishing and other fisheries
stakeholders--that led to bipartisan introduction of Fishable Waters Act, 2000-2001.
·
National coordinator, Ag-Earth Partnership, 3-year private-public initiative educating
public and policymakers about ag environmental stewardship successes,
1998-2000.
·
Ag
representative, EPA Source Water Protection Working Group,
1997.
·
Key
ag negotiator, compromise involving
ag interests, drinking water community and key legislators on voluntary source water protection provision, Safe
Drinking Water Act, 1996.
·
Key
ag representative on compromise
voluntary, incentive-based Clean Water
Act nonpoint source (NPS) provisions included in legislation introduced in
House, 1993-1994.
·
Key
ag advisor to National Forum on Nonpoint Source Pollution, 1992-1993.
·
Lead
co-op negotiator, on successful oil pipeline regulatory reform
legislation, with pipeline industry principals and congressional committees,
1989.
·
Farmer
co-op representative, EPA "Reg Neg" on RFG &
oxygenated fuels, 1987.
·
Coordinator, special food safety & water quality education
campaign, 1987.
·
Staff
coordinator, campaign that resulted
in co-ops receiving over $50,000,000 in Stripper
Well Litigation & other oil overcharge refunds on behalf of
farmer-members, 1985-1986.
·
Staff
coordinator, unsuccessful effort by
NCFC member task force to establish captive
insurance company for excess liability and directors & officers
insurance, 1985-1986.
·
Staff
coordinator, NCFC task force to
develop energy emergency preparedness
legislation, 1981-1982.
·
Key
ag lobbyist during rulemaking by
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Natural Gas Supply Act curtailment priorities for essential
agricultural uses,1979-1980.
USDA,
Office of Energy
·
Issue
areas covered include petroleum; strategic petroleum reserve; natural gas,
essential agricultural uses & curtailment priorities; propane; electricity;
and ethanol & other biomass energy sources.
·
Long-range,
USDA-wide program to minimize the impact of energy supply curtailments and
promote energy conservation and efficiency in the U.S. agricultural system.
·
USDA
working paper on agricultural energy requirements and conservation potentials.
·
Lead
USDA staff representative working with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) to develop and implement natural gas supply curtailment priorities and
regulations for essential agricultural uses.
USDA,
Economic Research Service
·
Lead
manager of a nationwide, team effort to develop a database of energy use in
agricultural production and energy conservation guidebooks for major
agricultural commodities/operations.
·
Preparation
of analysis and USDA testimony on the impact of the Carter Energy Plan on U.S.
agriculture and rural America.