2025 ASSOCIATION INDUSTRY PARTNER OF THE YEAR

Jeff Tenenbaum, Esq.
Managing Partner
Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC

Jeff Tenenbaum is widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading nonprofit attorneys, and is also an accomplished author, lecturer, commentator, and expert witness on nonprofit legal matters, including most recently as the New York Attorney General’s lead expert witness in a very high-profile case (in which the Attorney General prevailed). As Managing Partner of the nationally recognized, Washington, DC-based Tenenbaum Law Group – a six-attorney boutique law firm focused exclusively on the legal needs of nonprofits – Jeff counsels his clients on the broad array of legal and sensitive business and governance issues affecting nonprofit organizations. For 19 years, Jeff practiced law at the Venable law firm in Washington, DC and chaired its nonprofit practice for most of that time.

Among numerous other honors and awards, Jeff was the 2006 recipient of the American Bar Association’s Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer of the Year Award, has been one of only a handful of Leading Lawyers in the prestigious U.S. Legal 500 Not-for-Profit rankings over the years, is one of only five lawyers in the U.S. Legal 500’s Not-for-Profit Hall of Fame, and has been selected by both Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers every year for over a decade in their nonprofit categories.

The Tenenbaum Law Group has been ranked in the Tier 1 designation in the Washington, DC metropolitan area for Nonprofit/Charities Law by Best Law Firms in each year since its founding in 2020. In addition, the firm has been ranked by the prestigious U.S. Legal 500 for 2022-24 in its national Not-for-Profit category, one of only 19 such law firms and the only boutique firm.

Jeff is the author of the ASAE-published book, Association Tax Compliance Guide, which is only slightly more popular than his second – and much more interesting – book, Quarantine Cocktails. He currently serves as Chair of the American Bar Association’s Trade and Professional Associations Subcommittee and on the ASAE Legal Advisory Council, Public Policy Committee, and Association Governance Institute Consultant Advisory Committee.

2025 ASSOCIATION TRAILBLAZERS

Alicia Auerswald, CAE
Senior Vice President, Strategy & Marketing
International Sign Association 

Alicia Auerswald, CAE, is the Sr. Vice President, Strategy & Marketing at the International Sign Association (ISA). In this role, she leads strategic initiatives for the association and oversees the marketing, communications, and data/IT teams with a keen focus on enhancing member value, increasing stakeholder engagement and spurring growth for the organization and industry. Alicia has a reputation as a forward-thinking, idea-generating innovator and best practices leader who quickly understands key business drivers and underlying issues transforming ideas into actionable plans and objectives. She has helped ISA launch new events and revenue streams, evaluate association policies and procedures, and lead the organization through a strategic overhaul and digital transformation of its data, data systems, processes and IT infrastructure. 

Alicia is a dynamic leader who tries to live the principles of mentorship, friendship, and trust. With a people-first management style, she leads by example, fostering an environment that builds high-performance teams that not only achieve aggressive objectives but also empowers individuals to grow both personally and professionally, celebrating the wins and learning from taking risks and making mistakes. Her commitment to nurturing talent and driving organizational momentum sets a positive tone she hopes inspires those around her.

Prior to joining ISA in 2012, Alicia served as director of marketing at National Trade Productions (NTP) for more than eight years. While at NTP, she was recognized as a dynamic and flexible strategist with a track record of leading clients to record-breaking success. Prior to NTP, she was the director of marketing for American Chamber of Commerce Executives, VP of special programs for a 501(c)(3) foundation, and marketing manager for an educational association. 

Alicia has spent nearly 20+ years in marketing, communications and management as well as business development. She served as president of the Alexandria Jaycees Foundation which works for a better community through service, action, and change. Professionally she is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and an active member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). She is a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA), Project Management Institute (PMI), International Association for Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), and is a life member of the Virginia Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Alexandria Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Tim Ebner
Director of Communications and Marketing
Can Manufacturers Institute

Tim Ebner leads marketing and communications efforts for the Can Manufacturers Institute. As director of communications and marketing, he leads CMI’s annual strategic process for internal and external communications programs, ensuring the metal can is recognized as the superior sustainable package. He joined CMI earlier this year after working at the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), serving as director of communications and press secretary. He also maintains an active volunteer role for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), and previously worked as a senior editor of Associations Now (the editorial and publishing division of ASAE), where he covered association leadership, membership, marketing, and technology trends.

Prior to his career in associations, he was a full-time journalist. He was an editorial manager and content editor at Atlantic Media, publisher of The Atlantic. And he helped launch the e-books and digital publications division at Education Week. Tim continues to write and report to this day. He is an award-winning food and travel writer and was honored by the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) for his coverage in Edible DC magazine. He currently writes for Bon Appétit, The Washington Post, Eater, and Resy. He graduated from Fordham University in the Bronx and earned a Master’s in Journalism from the University of Maryland in College Park. And he is publishing his first cookbook with Abrams Books next year!

Brianna Gianti
Vice President of Membership
Recycled Materials Association (ReMA)

Brianna Gianti serves as Vice President of Membership for the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA). ReMA underwent a rebrand in 2024 and was previously known as the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI). At ReMA Brianna has been instrumental in transforming the membership program and revenue since she came onboard in late 2019. In the 6 years since she began, Brianna has increased the total number of members by 39%, departmental revenue by 62% , and new membership by 227%. In addition, her membership program averages a renewal rate between 87-90% annually including through the pandemic. In addition to strong numbers, Brianna has also developed several out-of-the-box programs including a “ReMA on the Road” program to reach members across North America, engage new staff, and promote the recycled materials industry;  developed an entry-level membership program; a badge program to honor membership benchmarks; and much more. Prior to ReMA, Brianna led membership programs at several leading associations including the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Solar Energy Association (SEIA), National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA), Sourcing Interest Group (SIG), National Association of EHS Management (NAEM) and many more. Brianna holds a B.A. in Communications-Public Relations from Susquehanna University. Brianna and her wife Natalie live in central Maryland with their 3 cats: Elton John, Billie Joel and Vegas.

Holly Smith
Executive Vice President, Membership
American Bankers Association

Holly Smith is Executive Vice President of Membership at the American Bankers Association and champions a team focused on member recruitment, retention, outreach, engagement and professional development for America’s banks.  The ABA is the voice of the nation’s $23.7 trillion banking industry and the only organization that represents banks of all sizes and charters in Washington.

Smith is a 20-year veteran of the ABA and was named to her current role in 2022. Before that, she spent ten years at the helm of ABA’s Large Bank Group, leading the team that managed ABA’s relationships with its largest, most complex member banks.  Prior to that, she led the ABA’s national Membership Sales team. 

Before joining the ABA in 2004, Smith worked as Membership Director for The Entrepreneurs Organization, a global membership organization for leading entrepreneurs under the age of 40. 

Smith graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with bachelor’s degrees in international studies and Romance Languages. She is a former trustee of the National Child Research Center and a current admissions advisor for Maret School.  Smith resides in Maryland with her husband and two children.

2025 LEADING ASSOCIATION LOBBYISTS 

  
Greg Crist
Chief Advocacy Officer & Head of External Affairs
Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed)

Greg Crist is Chief Advocacy Officer and Head of External Affairs of the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the world’s leading medical device technology trade association. In his role, Greg is responsible for the association’s advocacy efforts, representing industry interests from tax, commerce and trade policies through regulatory issues before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CMS, EPA, and other federal agencies. Greg also leads the public affairs team, responsible for all research, message development, and communications for AdvaMed’s representation of more than 500 global and domestic medtech companies.  While doing so, Greg also maintains a strong network of external relationships, particularly in the health care, political, and business spaces.  Finally, he leads the association’s state and regional affairs department as well as all alliance development efforts. 

Greg’s seasoned approach to advocacy strategy has resulted in monumental wins for the medical device industry, including the full repeal of the medical device tax in 2019, successful enactment of the fifth user-fee agreement (MDUFA), and various other initiatives promoting innovation for the industry. Prior to his time at AdvaMed, Greg served as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the American Health Care Association, representing more than 16,000 long-term and post-acute care centers. During this tenure, Greg was responsible for all external communications with the media and aligned health care organizations, as well as internal communications with more than 4 million health care providers and caregivers.  Greg has extensive experience in utilizing media strategies for positive legislative outcomes.

Prior to joining AdvaMed, he was Senior Vice President for Dutko Worldwide where he launched and directed Strategy 360 –– specializing in crisis communications, polling and research. Greg spent four years as the personal aide and spokesman to Virginia Governor George Allen, then served seven years in various congressional House leadership roles, including the Ways and Means Committee, the House Majority Leader, and the House Republican Conference. Greg is a graduate of The College of William & Mary where he earned his degree in Public Policy.  He is also a Sorensen Fellow at the University of Virginia – a program dedicated to ethics and public policy.  Greg also serves as Vice Chair of the Public Affairs Council, based in Washington, DC.  

Jennifer Fox 
Vice President of Federal Affairs
Finseca

Jennifer Fox is the Vice President of Federal Affairs at Finseca. In her role, Jen oversees Finseca’s lobbying efforts, including educating policymakers and their staff to promote policy that supports delivering more people a holistic financial plan that includes life insurance, retirement planning, and investments. 

Prior to this role, Jen led Finseca’s political advocacy programs, including the Association’s Ambassador Program, fly-ins, and political fundraising, including Finseca’s PAC. She is dedicated to helping members get engaged politically and empowering them to tell their story. 

Before joining Finseca, Jen worked at the National Restaurant Association and Engine Advocacy, engaging advocates on federal, state and local issues. In addition, she spent time at the White House and on Capitol Hill. Through these experiences, Jen developed a well-rounded knowledge of small business, technology, labor, and tax issues. She also serves as the President of The Advocacy Association. 

An alumna of George Washington University, Jen lives in  Washington, D.C. with her husband, Jon, and their Chow-Chow, Coco.

Carl Holshouser
Executive Vice President and Vice President of the Corporation
TechNet

Carl Holshouser serves as TechNet’s Executive Vice President and Vice President of the Corporation. With nearly two decades of organizational leadership, government relations, and advisory experience, Carl is a seasoned corporate strategist who is best known for building and leading teams, driving revenue growth, and mobilizing campaigns and coalitions to deliver significant legislative results and favorable regulatory outcomes against the most challenging political environments.

Carl is a leading voice for the technology industry and is frequently quoted in publications such as Politico, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Axios, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Punchbowl, and Bloomberg. Carl was recognized as a top lobbyist by both The Hill (2022, 2023) and the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (2022).  Carl leads TechNet’s efforts on key issues facing the innovation economy including artificial intelligence, privacy, digital trade, competition, and tax.

Carl joined TechNet from PwC, where he served as a strategic policy adviser to Fortune 500 companies and was co-leader of the firm’s Trade Policy Platform. Prior to PwC, Carl served as Senior Director of Government Relations for Visa from 2013-2019, where he led technology policy issues for the global payments company. Carl had previous lobbying roles with Textron Systems, Capitol Partners Inc., and started his career in the office of U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX).

Carl is a past Vice Chairman of the Board of the National Cyber Security Alliance (2017-2019), where he also served as Treasurer. Carl is a past Chairman of TechNet’s Federal Public Policy Committee (2017-2019) and past Chairman of the Government Relations Committee at the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) (2018-2020). Carl is an active investor in tech startups, serves on the board of the Louise Batz Patient Safety Foundation, and is a high-honors graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he was an Archer Fellow.

Jason Ortega
Vice President of Public Affairs
National Wooden Pallet & Container Association

As VP of Public Affairs at the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA), Jason Ortega is the lead lobbyist and advocate for the global wooden transport packaging industry.

Ortega joined the NWPCA staff in 2021 and transformed the organization’s DC-focused advocacy into a transatlantic public affairs program designed to defend the industry and pursue positive public policy opportunities for it. Ortega led the organization’s first advocacy and communications efforts outside of the US, successfully engaging EU policymakers in Brussels to change legislative language and protect the use of wooden pallets in international trade.

Domestically, Ortega has expanded the NWPCA’s outreach and raised its profile. He has doubled the association’s political action committee, PalletPAC, allowing NWPCA to support more pallet and supply chain champions on the Hill. He serves on the board of directors for the Small Business Legislative Council, a group dedicated to advocating on behalf of the backbone of the US economy. He also represents the association as a member of the Advocacy Council of the American Society of Association Executives. Ortega is the co-chair of EDGE, a group dedicated to providing young professionals with low-cost access to small group fundraisers that support members of Congress who are under the age of 50.

Before joining NWPCA, Ortega was Vice President at Lobbyit, a DC-based boutique government affairs firm. He specialized in advocating for trade associations and societies, often serving as their sole advocate on the Hill.

Ortega earned his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from The Ohio State University and his Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Adventist University. 

PAST EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR HONOREES