ATSSA Signal November December 2020

The Signal | November/December 2020 13 Government Relations Government Relations Team moves into new office space on Capitol Hill ATSSA’sGovernment Relations Team has a new office in Washington, D.C., located about 10 blocks from the U.S. Capitol building. “Thenewofficeheightens theAssociation’s profile in the nation’s capital and puts decision-makers just steps away fromour team,” saidVicePresident of Government Relations Nate Smith. “This will explode our ability to develop relationships with legislators and keep our roadway safety message forefront in their minds.” ATSSA purchased the building in August and everything was ready for the team to move in the following month. Smith, Director of State Government Relations ReneeGibson,andManagerofGovernment Relations CameronGreenewill work out of that office. The two-story row house has a brick exterior and space on the first floor that can be used to host receptions for ATSSA members and legislators aswell as indus- try events. Inaddition to individual offices, the building has space for other ATSSA staff to use when in D.C. for meetings. It also has a finished basement with a large conference room and storage space. The new office at 512 8th St., Southeast, is conveniently situated—just two blocks from the Eastern Market Metro station, about two blocks from Pennsylvania Avenue, about fiveblocks fromtheMarine BarracksAnnex—andhas itsownparking. As ATSSA considered options for the GR offices, a team of leaders including CFO & COO Mitzi Osterhout found this one especially appealing because it had been renovated in2014. ATSSA’s Boardof Directors considered theoptionof leasing space but felt the purchase was a wiser decision, especially withmortgage rates extraordinarily low. “The property is in tremendous shape, is in a great location, and positions the Association in proximity to the nation’s lawmakers to have the greatest impact on roadway safety,” saidATSSAPresident & CEO Stacy Tetschner. “I look forward to the opportunity for our members to see it.”  The new Government Relations office is in this pale blue brick building in Southeast Washington, D.C., within blocks of the U.S. Capitol.