Association couples government affairs and communications into 'NCPA Advocacy Center'
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday announced a number of staff appointments a realignment to bolster its already robust federal, state and media relations efforts.
“This is an important moment for independent community pharmacies. Changes in Washington, state capitals and the private sector present new opportunities and challenges for community pharmacists,” stated Douglas Hoey, NCPA CEO. “I believe NCPA can enhance its effectiveness and raise its profile in the health care community by combining its government affairs and communications departments into an NCPA Advocacy Center. So much of advocacy is about communications and vice versa. My vision is that a more unified effort will be synergistic for both areas.”
As a result, Kevin Schweers will lead the Advocacy Center as director of the Advocacy Center and SVP, government and public affairs. The policy, regulatory and federal and state legislative teams will report directly to Schweers. He has served as SVP public affairs since 2011 and joined NCPA in 2009. Schweers previously held several senior public affairs positions at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives (including the House Energy & Commerce Committee).
Scott Brunner joined NCPA as SVP communications and state government affairs. He will lead communications, state government affairs as well as fundraising for the Political Action Committee and Legislative/Legal Defense Fund (LDF), reporting to Schweers. Brunner previously served as CEO of the Georgia Pharmacy Association. He is a veteran association executive who also led successful state organizations in Virginia, Mississippi and other states.
Karry La Violette has been promoted to VP government affairs and advocacy. She will lead NCPA congressional lobbying efforts. She first joined NCPA in 2011. La Violette has also served in advocacy positions for The Boeing Company and the Food Marketing Institute.
Stephanie DuBois has been appointed senior director, marketing communications. She joined NCPA in 2013 and will take on an additional focus on NCPA’s website and digital strategies. DuBois previously worked in the U.S. House of Representatives as Communications Director for three different members of Congress.
In addition, to augment its advocacy efforts, NCPA has tapped leading Washington advocate Capitol Counsel. The respected, bipartisan firm specializes in health care and is stocked with many Capitol Hill veterans.
“This is an important moment for independent community pharmacies. Changes in Washington, state capitals and the private sector present new opportunities and challenges for community pharmacists,” stated Douglas Hoey, NCPA CEO. “I believe NCPA can enhance its effectiveness and raise its profile in the health care community by combining its government affairs and communications departments into an NCPA Advocacy Center. So much of advocacy is about communications and vice versa. My vision is that a more unified effort will be synergistic for both areas.”
As a result, Kevin Schweers will lead the Advocacy Center as director of the Advocacy Center and SVP, government and public affairs. The policy, regulatory and federal and state legislative teams will report directly to Schweers. He has served as SVP public affairs since 2011 and joined NCPA in 2009. Schweers previously held several senior public affairs positions at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives (including the House Energy & Commerce Committee).Scott Brunner joined NCPA as SVP communications and state government affairs. He will lead communications, state government affairs as well as fundraising for the Political Action Committee and Legislative/Legal Defense Fund (LDF), reporting to Schweers. Brunner previously served as CEO of the Georgia Pharmacy Association. He is a veteran association executive who also led successful state organizations in Virginia, Mississippi and other states.
Karry La Violette has been promoted to VP government affairs and advocacy. She will lead NCPA congressional lobbying efforts. She first joined NCPA in 2011. La Violette has also served in advocacy positions for The Boeing Company and the Food Marketing Institute.Stephanie DuBois has been appointed senior director, marketing communications. She joined NCPA in 2013 and will take on an additional focus on NCPA’s website and digital strategies. DuBois previously worked in the U.S. House of Representatives as Communications Director for three different members of Congress.
In addition, to augment its advocacy efforts, NCPA has tapped leading Washington advocate Capitol Counsel. The respected, bipartisan firm specializes in health care and is stocked with many Capitol Hill veterans.