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Home / Washington Business - September/October 2004 / Insider Perspective: Tom McBride is AWB's New Guy on Taxes, Roads and Unemployment |
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Insider Perspective: Tom McBride is AWB's New Guy on Taxes, Roads and Unemployment |
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Written On: September/October 2004 |
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Written By: by Paul Schlienz |
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You may not know Tom McBride yet, but you will soon.
McBride, the newest member of our Governmental Affairs team, is the Association’s point man on tax and fiscal policy, unemployment insurance and transportation. He is putting an impressive background in government and the private sector to work for AWB.
Born and raised in Bellevue, McBride moved to Washington, DC, after graduating from Whitman College in 1988. In the nation’s capital, he immersed himself in the political world.
“DC is such a fascinating place if you’re at all interested in legislation and politics,” McBride recalled. “I went to work for the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.”
Later, McBride moved from his GOP fund-raising job to a position with a company that did research for law firms. While doing legal research, McBride decided to become an attorney and return to his native Northwest.
“A few years is plenty of time in the other Washington unless you’re going to make a career back there,” McBride observed. “Still, it was fun — a good experience.”
McBride is Gonzaga Law School Grad
In 1991 McBride enrolled in Gonzaga University’s law school. Once he received his law degree and was accepted into the bar, McBride joined the Winston & Cashatt law firm in Spokane. He specialized in commercial litigation and bankruptcy.
After moving to Seattle four years later and joining Cairncross & Hempelmann, McBride’s earlier interest in politics reasserted itself.
“I came to realize that I wanted to get into lobbying,” McBride said. “Instead of lobbying within a law practice, I decided that the only way to do it right would be to come down to Olympia and lobby full-time.”
“Practicing law was more dealing with law at the back end after problems had arisen. If you go into lobbying, you’re still dealing with problems, but the problems are at the front end, and you’re trying to correct them through the legislative process.”
McBride Joined CTED in Olympia
In Olympia, McBride took a job with the state’s Dept. of Community Trade and Economic Development (CTED).
“I was CTED’s director of intergovernmental relations,” McBride stated. “I was the legislative liaison for the agency. I worked with the cities, the counties, courts, trade associations and other stakeholders to facilitate their work with CTED, the Governor’s Office and the Legislature. I prepared the agency’s agenda and advocated it on the Hill.”
After two years at CTED, McBride came to AWB last June. He is looking forward to working AWB’s agenda in the 2005 legislative session.
“We’re having a great time down here in Olympia,” says McBride of his family, which includes his wife Angela and their children — 7-year-old Tanner and 3-year-old Lauren. When not lobbying for AWB, McBride’s life revolves around his loved ones. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities, such as playing baseball and basketball with his children.
McBride gives his family a great deal of credit for his success.
“I am most grateful to my family for their willingness and courage to support my career decisions,” McBride concluded. “Without their willingness to make significant changes, I would never have been able to have pursued my professional dreams and done what I wanted to do.”
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